Optimal design of the high geogrid-reinforced slope at the airfield of an airport

Abstract

Geogrid reinforced soil slope is a new type of slope supporting structure, which is of great significance for improving the slope stability, saving construction land and preserving the ecological environment. In order to provide the optimal design solution of the reinforced soil slope for high fill slopes, a case study is conducted on the No.6 slope at the northwest corner of the airport runway. Three design schemes with different slope ratios are carried out firstly based on the geological conditions of the slope and the field situation of the high fill slope. Secondly, the simplified Bishop method, Spencer wedge method and Morgenstern price method are used to calculate the stability factors of the reinforced slopes under the natural, rainstorm and earthquake conditions. Finally, the deformation characteristics of the slope and tensile force in reinforcements are investigated based on the finite element method under the natural conditions. The results show that all the proposed design schemes can meet the requirements of slope stability under different working conditions. A zigzag distribution of the tensile force in reinforcements in the multi-stage reinforced soil slope is observed along the slope height, and the maximum axial force of reinforcement increases abruptly at the toe of each slope. Compared with the design scheme of the gentle reinforced soil slope with the slope ratio of 1∶1.5, the reinforced retaining wall with the slope ratio of 1∶0.25 shows obvious advantages in reducing the slope height, consumption of geosynthetics, filling and excavation amount as well as slope protection area. The key issues including the slope stability, construction cost and duration are comprehensively considered, and the design scheme of the reinforced earth wall is reasonable.