Performance of a Bearing Reinforcement Earth (BRE) wall and its numerical simulation

Abstract

The bearing reinforcement was regarded as a cost-effective earth reinforcement. A numerical simulation of the bearing reinforcement earth wall by PLAXIS 2D is presented in this paper. The change in bearing stresses, settlements and tensions in the reinforcements during and after construction is simulated. Overall, the simulated test results are in good agreement with the measured ones. The simulated results show that the BRE wall behaves as a rigid body, retaining the unreinforced backfill. The simulated bearing stress presents a trapezoid distribution shape as generally assumed by the conventional method of examination of the external stability of mechanically stabilized earth walls. The simulated settlement is almost uniform due to a high stiffness of the rigid foundation and the bearing reinforcements. The maximum tension (possible failure) plane is bi-liner, which is typical for inextensible reinforcements. The knowledge gained from this study can be applied to other BRE walls with different wall heights, foundations and features of bearing reinforcements.