Seismic analysis of the reinforced earth

wall Strikici at the highway

Zagreb-Split-Dubrovnik
Kvasnicka, P., Domitrovic, D.,
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mining Geology
and Petroleum Engineering
Reinforced earth (RE)
contents
- Introduction
- RE - internal stability
- RE - external stability
- RE - seismic analysis
- Testing and monitoring
- RE and Eurocodes
- Conclusion
Reinforced earth what is it?
RE wall Strikici
Croatia
A
d
r
i
a
t
i
c

s
e
a
RE-wall Strikici
max. height 26,8 m, length cca 600 m
- crossection with
strips
paraweb strip
Consists of discrete
bundles of closely
packed high strength
synthetic fibres, lying
parallel to each other,
encased in a tough
and durable polymeric
sheath.
HYPOTHESIS OF CALCULATION FOR
INTERNAL STABILITY (statics)
according to the AFNOR standard NF P 94-220-0/1

p
H
p
H
p

0,3 H
m
t
m
t
p
tension
t
Resistant
zone
Line of maximum tension
L
a
: Adherence length
Tension along a reinforcing strip
Active zone
Facing
10
3
CALCULATION FOR INTERNAL STABILITY statics - results
- forces in strips at crossection with max height, 26,8 m.
677,7 31,2 7 36,67 24,8
638,2 32,3 6,5 36,67 24,0
499,7 33,9 6,2 36,67 20,0
374,1 32,2 4 36,67 16,0
302,4 34,8 2,5 36,67 12,0
206,6 27,3 2 27,50 8,0
141,2 17,4 2 18,33 4,0
20,2 4,7 2 18,33 0,4
pull out
force, T
f
[kN]
max.
tension
force, T
max
[kN]
number
of strips
per m
design strip
strength
[kN]
depth z,
from top
[m]
Engineering-geologic description of rock
mass (karst region):
Well stratified rudist upper cretaceous limestones.
Rock mass - system of joints with relatively large apertures,
from 1 to 5 mm. Apertures are partially filled with clay and
debris. Blocky and irregular (thetraedron) blocks, mainly
meter-sized, are bounded by systems of joints.
The elements of the systems of joints were surveyed as well
as the other data required for categorization of rock mass for
the purpose of calculation of the geologic strength indexes
(GSI) for each weathering zone. JRC = 8 - 10, GSI: 49 54;
EXTERNAL STABILITY
Stability of rock-slope with reinforced
earth wall:
The slope inclination varies between
20
o
and 30
o
, while the slope angle of
joints varies from 20
o
to 23
o
in the
rock mass in the same direction.
Shear plains in the rock mass have the
same inclination as the slope =>
unfavorable
Numerical model (Plaxis)
Sliding plane 1
Sliding plane 2
33
0
-66
0
Crirical failure surface, PLAXIS, Phi-c-reduction, Fs = 1,75
Reinforced fill -
HS model
Rock mass - Jointed rock model:
q = 20,0 kN/m
2
Seismic analysis
Plaxis-dynamic
56,00 75,27 4,9
15.05.2002.
Gilroy
62,31 761,4 7,6
13.01.2001.
El Salvador
Time [s] Max. akceleration [cm/s
2
] Magnitude Date
Seismic load - two accelerograms
Checking the influence of model boundaries
to calculation results - models
+ + + 60 Model 3
+ + + 20 Model 2
+ + 0
Model 1
(benchmark)
Magnitude
Mw=7,6
Magnitude
Mw=4,9
boundary
distance
[m]
Name
Model 1 (benchmark model)
Model 2 Model 3
Point A
Point B
Point A
Point B
Point A
Point B
Acceleration at point A, Mw = 4,9
0,52 m/s
2
0,35 m/s
2
0,42 m/s
2
4,9 m/s
2
6,4 m/s
2
5,0 m/s
2
Acceleration at point A, Mw = 7,6
Forces in strips, Mw= 4,9
0 50 100 150 200 250
Tensile force in strip [kN]
0
10
20
30
40
S
t
r
i
p

l
a
y
e
r

n
u
m
b
e
r
Magnitude 4,9
Model 1
Model 2
Model 3
Static model
Static tensile strength
Magnitude 4,9
0 100 200 300
Tensile force in strip [kN]
0
10
20
30
40
S
t
r
i
p

l
a
y
e
r

n
u
m
b
e
r
Magnitude 7,6
Model 1
Model 2
Model 3
Static model
Static tensile strength
Magnitude 7,6
Forces in strips, Mw= 7,6
Wall facing displacement, Mw=4,9
-1.6 -1.2 -0.8 -0.4 0
Wall facing displacement [cm]
0
5
10
15
20
25
W
a
l
l

h
e
i
g
h
t

[
m
]
Magnitude 4,9
Model 1
Model 2
Model 3
Magnitude 4,9
-120 -80 -40 0 40
Wall facing displacement [cm]
0
5
10
15
20
25
W
a
l
l

h
e
i
g
h
t

[
m
]
Magnitude 7,6
Model 1
Model 2
Model 3
Magnitude 7,6
Wall facing displacement, Mw=7,6
Influence of model boundaries to calculation
results:
Mw = 4,9 small influence to values of horizontal
displacements and tension forces in strips
Mw = 7,6 great influence to values of horizontal
displacements and tension forces in strips
influence of boundaries increases with earthquake
magnitude
Construction
RE material => crushed stone (in
situ)
Max. diameter 25 cm
no clay particles
Construction of drainage and first
panel layer
putting panels in place
paraweb strips and channel for
reinforcement
facing
Material testing and monitoring
Testing the strips
(University of Zgb. )
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Relativna deformacija (%)
S
i
l
a

(
k
N
)
50 kN/1 50 kN/2 50 kN/3
Fmax 1 =56,09 kN
Fmax 2 =55,72 kN
Fmax 3 =56,62 kN
EA = 501,0 kN
Geophysical measurements
MASW => measurements of v
p
i v
s
Calculating geophysical moduli: Young
(E), shear modulus (G), bulk modulus (K)
Poissons ratio () =>
Checking soil densification
KARAKTERISTINI PRESJEK
REFRAKCIJSKOG PROFILA
OKOMITOG NA OS AUTOCESTE
RASJEDNA ZONA
SA KAVERNAMA ISPUNJENIM
GLINOM I KRJEM
KOMPAKTNA STJENOVITA MASA U PODLOZI
Longitudinal crossection of Strikici RE wall
Measurements of horizontal
displacements with deformeter
Monitoring deformeter positions
SR1IX_1
18,50 m
SR1IX_2
16,50 m
PK 9+850
SR1IX_3
21,00 m
Measurements of horizontal
displacements with deformeter
Metal rings outside plastic tubes et 1,0 m distance
LVDT Linear Variable Differential Transformer
Prsten A Prsten B
Prsten A Prsten B
Tube installation.
Measurement at RE wall Strikii.
Reinforced earth (fill) and Eurocodes
EN 14475 (Jan. 2006), BS: Execution of special geotechnical works:
reinforced fill (RF) TC CEN/TC, held by AFNOR.
EC7 does not cover the detailed design of RF structures. Values of
partial factors and load factors in EN 1997-1 have not been calibrated
for RF, but there is many common features.
Two stage approach has been adopted for the development of
standards for RF:
Working group 9 was mandated by TC288 for producing guidance on
the execution of RF, before working towards common method of
design (EN 14475). Scope:
earth retaining structures
reinforced steep slopes with facing
embankments with basal reinforcement and reinforcement against frost
heave in the upper part.
Conclusion
RE walls are suitable for karst regions
because:
high ground bearing capacity, milled in situ
material (balance the cut and fill quantity),
simple construction, reasonable price
environmentally acceptable
stable in seismic active regions
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