ANALYSIS OF LIMIT STATES OF HIGH RETAINING WALLS REINFORCED WITH GEOSYNTHETICS

The main questions at design of the reinforced structures are: necessary tensile strength of reinforced elements depending on the face part type, inclination and chosen backfill material. The limit states are verified by analytical design methods. The evaluation of deformations of the reinforced retaining walls is a problem, especially at high walls. Numerical modelling has advantages in a detail simulation of construction processes, time factor and load intensity. Correct description of face element behaviour, especially the soft layout of wrap-around face or gabions, becomes crucial because of its high influence on the overall visible and measurable deformations on the face. In this case, basket and fill of gabions were modelled separately to achieve more realistic results. Realization of in-situ and laboratory tests on reinforced elements or application of large scale physical modelling can offer additional data to restrict the indefiniteness in modelling of key parts of the structure. Afterwards, it will be possible to evaluate the potential unsuitability of flexible face elements for high retaining walls as shows results of the numerical modelling.