MECHANICALLY STABILIZED EARTH

(GEOGRID REINFORCED RETAINING WALL)

.
Faculty of Civil and Environmental, UniversitiTun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, BatuPahat Johor, Malaysia.

Abstract

Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) is the general name for structures made of reinforced
soil . Tensile reinforcement is placed between layers of soil to prevent it from failing. The
reinforcement strengthens the soil, making it possible to build structures higher and stronger
than soil-alone structures. The interaction between the reinforcement and the soil as a unit
gives the mass greater strength than unreinforced soil. These structures serve as
embankments, wing walls, slope protection, steepened slopes and other places where a
change in grade is required.

INTRODUCTION

Although mechanically stabilized earth retaining walls have become more popular in the past decade,
cantilever retaining walls are still probably the most common type of retaining structure. The analysis
of mechanically stabilized earth retaining walls is based on active earth pressure. It assumed that the
wall will move enough to develop the active wedge. However, it similar to concrete retaining walls,
because it is important that building footing or other load carrying members are not supposed by MSE
retaining walls and the active wedge or else they will be subjected to lateral movements.
Typical Application Of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Retaining Walls :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Land development.
Highway or road structures.
Pre-load embankments.
Landscape project.
Forestry, mining, and oil gas application

APPLICATION
Design Principles

The general design procedure of any mechanically stabilized retaining wall can be devide
into two part :
1. Satisfying internal stability requirement
2. Checking the external stability of the wall

Figure 1 : Common type of retaining wall failure

The analysis for the external stability is similar to a gravity retaining wall. The design
analysis for external stability for a level backfill condition and a slopping backfill condition.
The zone of MSE mss is treated in a similar fashion as a massive gravity retaining wall. The
following analyses must be performed :
1. Allowable bearing pressure. The bearing pressure due to reinforced soil mass must
not exceed the allowable bearing pressure.
2. Factor of safety of sliding. The reinforced soil mass must have an adequate factor
of safety for sliding.
3. Factor of safety of overturning. The reinforced soil mass must have an adequate
factor of safety ( F=2 ) for overturning about Point O.
4. Resultant of vertical forces N. The resultant of the vertical forces N should be
within the middle of the base of the reinforced soil mass.
5. Stability of reinforced soil mass. The stability of the entire reinforced soil mass
would have to be checked.
To check the stability of the mechanically stabilized zone, a slope stability analysis
can be performed where the soil reinforcement is modeled as horizontal forces equivalent to
the allowable tensile resistance of the geogrid. In addition to calculating the factor of safety,
the pullout resistance of the reinforcement along the slip surface should also be checked.
The analysis of mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall is based on active earth
pressure. It is assumed that the wall move enough to develop the active wedge. Similar to
concrete retaining wall, it is important that building footings or other load carrying members
are not supported by the MSE retaining wall and the active wedge, or else they will subjected
to lateral movement.

Construction Process of Retaining Wall

The construction of a mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall :

1.

2.

3.

Excavation of key and installation drainage system. A key ( slot ) has been
excavated into the natural ground and a drainage system is being constructed at
the back of the key.
Construction of mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall. A MSE retaining
wall is composed of three element :
Facing: which is the vertical facade or wall element, is most commonly
constructed of interlocking precast concrete panels with standard or customdesigned architectural finishes. In addition to its architectural features, facing
prevents localized erosion and has embedded connectors for attaching the
reinforcements.
Reinforcements: extend from the facing into the backfill for a distance related
to wall height and structural loading, but at least 70% of the wall height. The
reinforcements are flat, ribbed steel strips, welded wire mats, or bar mats, typically
hot-dip galvanized after fabrication. Friction between reinforcements and backfill
binds everything into a strong stable mass.
Backfill: is the soil which forms the bulk of the MSE structure. Its properties
are specified not only to provide strength, but also to minimize corrosion of the
reinforcements. Backfill is placed in lifts, alternating with facing panels and
reinforcements, until the structures required height is reached.
Final constructed condition. The gap in the wall facing element, which can be
used to install plant which will grow over the wall facing element and even blend
the wall into the surrounding vegetation.

Advantages Of Retaining Wall Reinforced Geogrids

Retaining Wall Reinforced Geogrids have many advantages compared with conventional
reinforced concrete and concrete gravity retaining walls. Retaining Wall Reinforced
Geogrids:
Advanteges

Use simple and rapid construction procedures and do not require large construction
equipment.
High resistance against biological and chemical attack.
Require less site preparation than other alternatives.
High resistance against installation damage.
Reduce right-of-way acquisition.
Do not need rigid, unyielding foundation support because Retaining Wall Reinforced
Geogrids structures are tolerant to deformations.
Are cost effective.
Are technically feasible to heights in excess of 25 m (80 ft).
Very high strength at low strains.

The relatively small quantities of manufactured materials required, rapid construction,

and,competition among the developers of different proprietary systems has resulted in a
costreduction relative to traditional types of retaining walls. Retaining Wall Reinforced
Geogrids are likely to be more economical than other wall systems for walls higher than
about 3 m (10 ft) or where special foundations would be required for a conventional wall.
One of the greatest advantages of Retaining Wall Reinforced Geogrids is their
flexibility and capability to absorb deformations due to poor subsoil conditions in the
foundations. Also, based on observationsin seismically active zones, these structures have
demonstrated a higher resistance to seismicloading than have rigid concrete structures.
Precast concrete facing elements for Retaining Wall Reinforced Geogrids can be
made with various shapes and textures (with little extra cost) for aesthetic considerations.
Masonry units, timber, and gabions also can be used with advantage to blend in the
environment.
Disadvantages

The following general disadvantages may be associated with all soil reinforced structures:
Retaining Wall Reinforced Geogrids require select granular fill. (At sites where there
is a lack of granular soils, the cost of importing suitable fill material may render the
system uneconomical). Requirements for RSS are typically less restrictive.
Suitable design criteria are required to address corrosion of steel reinforcing elements,
deterioration of certain types of exposed facing elements such as geo synthetics by
ultraviolet rays, and potential degradation of polymer reinforcement in the ground.
Since design and construction practice of all reinforced systems are still evolving
specifications and contracting practices have not been fully standardized, especially
for RSS.
The design of soil-reinforced systems often requires a shared design responsibility
between material suppliers and owners and greater input from agencies geotechnical
specialists in a domain often dominated by structural engineers.

CASE STUDY
Geogrids help facilitate efficient stabilization of poor soils for construction projects.
Geogrids are specified for a variety of reasons such as designing an embankment over a weak
subgrade, a working platform over expansive clays, or a foundation requiring extra
reinforcement. In base reinforcement applications such as paved or unpaved roads, geogrids
are used to provide reinforcement and confinement to base course materials. Geogrid soft soil
stabilization techniques provide solutions to conventional techniques such as deep
undercutting and chemical stabilization by reducing construction time, costs, and difficulties.

Some additional successful uses of Retaining Wall Reinforced Geogrids include:

Temporary structures, which have been especially cost-effective for temporary

detours necessary for highway reconstruction projects.

Dams and seawalls, including increasing the height of existing dams.

Bulk materials storage using sloped walls.

Reinforced soil dikes, which have been used for containment structures for
water and waste impoundments around oil and liquid natural gas storage tanks.
(The use of reinforced soil containment dikes is economical and can also result
in savings of land because a vertical face can be used, which reduces
construction time).

CONCLUSION
Retaining Wall Reinforced Geogrids have been designed and constructed in the
United States for over 35-years. At this time, millions of square meters of wall face have
been constructed. The authors estimate that currently Retaining Wall Reinforced
Geogrids are being constructed at a rate of hundreds of thousand of square meters
annually, and highway construction accounts for a significant percentage of this.
Retaining Wall Reinforced Geogrids in general provide an economic solution to meet
many project needs.It also have many advantage that will the contractor to construct
retaining wall such as very high strength at low strains, high resistance against biological
and chemical attack and high resistance against installation damage.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Alhamdulillahirabbil alamin, we want to express our highest gratitude to Allah s.w.t

for blessing, opportunity, health, and mercy to complete this project. In managing this
project, a lot of people have provided motivation. Advice, support, and guidance that helped
us.
In this valuable change, we aims to express out appreciation to all of them. First, our deepest
appreciation goes to our beloved parents for the endless love, pray and inspiration for us to
keep learning especially in academic level. We present our sincere appretiation to Yg. Bhg.
Prof. Madya Dr. Adnan bin Zainor Abidin as our lecturer in this subject Geotechnic who has
give advice, suggestion, and guidance to finish this project.
Our thankful also goes to all our friends in Geotechnic class for their support and help. In
addition, special appreciation to secretariat Geofest for their effort to make this festival come
true and success.

REFERENCE

Bathurst, R.J., Walters, D., Vlachopoulos, N., Burgess P., and Allan, T.H., (2000). Fullscale
Testing of Geosynthetic Reinforced Walls, Proceedings of GeoDenver, ASCE Special
Publication 2000.
Berg, R.R., Christopher, B.R. and Samtani, N.C. (2009). Design and Construction of
Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls and Reinforced Soil Slopes, FHWA NHI-10-024
Volume I and NHI-10-025 Volume II, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway
Administration, Washington, D.C., 306 p (Vol I) and 380p (Vol II).
Collin, J.G. (1986). Earth Wall Design, Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation, University of
Berkeley, 419 p.
Elias, V., Fishman, K.L., Christopher, B.R. and Berg, R.R. (2009). Corrosion/Degradation of
Soil Reinforcements for Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls and Reinforced Soil Slopes,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington DC,
FHWA-NHI-09-087, 146 p.
Elias, V, Christopher, B.R. and Berg, R.R. (2001). Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls and
Reinforced Soil Slopes, Design and Construction Guidelines, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington DC, FHWA-NHI-00-043, 418
p.
Mechanically Stabilized Earth-Retaining Wall, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia,
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanically_stabilized_earth>.
Oregon
DOT
web
site,
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/asset_mgmt/docs/Committees/ExecSteeringCommittee/31
July2007/03D-Retaining_Walls_Asset_Assessment.doc
Schlosser, F. (1990).Mechanically Stabilized Earth Retaining Structures in Europe. In:
Design and Performance of Earth Retaining Structures, GSP No. 25, ASCE, 347-378.

Low creep characteristics (PET)

High angles of friction because of the structured geogrid surfaces
High resistance against installation damage
Made from uniformly extruded solid
Can be manufactured with PET or PP bars
High resistance against biological and chemical attack
Biaxial geogrid strengths up to 80 kN/m Uniaxial geogrid strengths up to 400 kN/m Quick and
easy to install