Parametric Optimization and Multi-regression Analysis for Soil Nailing Using Numerical Approaches

Abstract

Soil nailing as a construction practice has turned into a prime earth retention and slope stabilization technique. Present study undertakes potential parametric optimization in soil nailing by considering soil nail interaction and back analysis of the pull-out strength of nail using Finite Element Analysis using PLAXIS 2D. Results suggested pull-out strength as a function of depth, thereby providing a potential scope for optimization of soil nail length pattern. The observed trend of results has been further validated using Limit Equilibrium Analysis. Further, dynamic analysis was undertaken to ensure the seismic stability considering the reduced nail length pattern using FHWA guidelines and the numerical approaches like finite element and limit equilibrium methods. Results suggest that the observed trend with reduced nail length patterns caused mild increment in the serviceability conditions like horizontal deformation, but the results were observed to be within permissible limits in the ultimate limit state. Furtherance to the numerical analyses, a numerical regression analysis was undertaken to develop a correlation between the geotechnical parameters, nail length patterns and the limit conditions.