Numerical analysis of reinforced soil slopes under working stress conditions

A finite element numerical study on reinforced soil slopes under working stress conditions is presented in this paper. This study accounts for the influence on reinforcement tension of slope height and inclination, the reinforcement stiffness and spacing, the soil friction angle and compaction induced stresses on the soil. It is shown that, in general, the stiffer the reinforcement system and the higher the stresses induced during compaction, the higher are the tensile stresses that must be resisted by the reinforcements. Compaction may be the major contributor to reinforcement tension at depths of more than 10 meters. The highest value of the reinforcement maximum tension did not occur at toe, but varied over a depth of 70% to 80% from the top of the slope. An analytical procedure for the determination of the location of reinforcements maximum tension is proposed.