Finite element limit analysis of load-bearing performance of reinforced slopes using a non-associated flow rule. Issue 5 (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Peng; Li, Ting; Hatami, Kianoosh; Yang, Guangqing; Liang, Xunmei
• Is Part Of: Geotextiles and geomembranes. Volume 50:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 1020
• Page End: 1035
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Geosynthetics -- Reinforced slopes -- Limit analysis -- Non-associated flow rule -- Footing load -- Bearing capacity -- Slope stability; Membranes (Technology) -- Periodicals; Membranes (Technology); Periodicals; Electronic journals; 624.189
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geotexmem.2022.07.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-1144

Abstract

Abstract: This paper presents a numerical study on the load-bearing performance of reinforced slopes under footing load using a finite element limit analysis (FELA) method where a non-associated flow rule is assumed in the analysis. The method was validated against results from full-scale model tests and a limit equilibrium (LE) analytical method. A series of parametric analyses was subsequently carried out to examine the influences that the soil dilation angle, footing location, and reinforcement design (i.e. length, tensile strength, and vertical spacing) could have on the load-bearing performance of reinforced slopes. Results indicate that dilation angle has a significant influence on the predicted magnitudes of bearing capacity, slope deformation, and mobilized reinforcement load. The predicted values of bearing capacity using the FELA are smaller than those from the Meyerhof's analytical method for unreinforced semi-infinite foundation, especially for larger friction angle values. Additionally, the ultimate bearing capacity of the slope and its corresponding horizontal deformation increase with the reinforcement tensile strength. Finally, the slip planes under the applied footing load are found to be y-shaped and primarily occur in the upper half of the slope. Highlights: A numerical study is carried out on the load-bearing performance of reinforced slopes under strip footing load. The numerical approach used is finite element limit analysis (FELA) with a non-associated flow rule for the soil. Results were compared with large-scale reinforced soil test data and LE-based predictions from previous studies. A parametric analysis investigated influences of design parameters on load-bearing performance of reinforced slopes. Soil dilation angle and reinforcement strength highly influence the load-bearing performance of reinforced slopes.