Reinforced soil systems - application in retaining structures

A reinforced earth-retaining structure is composed of soil-reinforcement composite material capable of apparent anisotropic cohesion, proportional to the tensile resistance of the flexible reinforcement used in the soil, and internal friction mobilized at the interfaces, with interlocking concrete or metal panels as facing. A nailed soil-retaining structure, on the other hand, is an in-situ reinforced wall associated with excavations with rigid reinforcements capable of withstanding tensile forces, shearing and bending moments. This paper describes briefly the different mechanisms of soil-reinforcement interaction in reinforced earth and in nailed soil structures. It summarizes the main results of both laboratory model studies and full scale experiments which have been carried out to provide a rational basis for the design of these structures. In addition, the application of the proposed design methods is illustrated.