TensarEarth Retaining Structures

Design Analysis
Output from TensarSoil Version 2.04
Calculations in accordance with:

Demo 82 (FHWA 1997) (seismic loading)

Client:

Odebrecht

Project:

Carretera Constanza-Jarabacoa
H=3.0mts, Embedment=.6 mts, Slope at toe, Aceleracin Ssmica (a)
=.2g.

Tensar
Earth Retaining
Structure
Mesa Std Connector

IMPORTANTNOTES (Preliminary/ConceptualDesign)
(1) This printout contains an Application Suggestion which has been prepared by a Tensar affiliate or by LICENSEE to enable the application of Tensar Geogrids to be
evaluated by a qualified and experience professional engineer. The calculations are derived from a standardized software program which generally follows AASHTO or
NCMA design methodologies and which has been modified to incorporate certain properties of Tensar products.
(2) This printout provides certain limited information for preliminary or conceptual design only, and does not itself constitute a design or plan suitable for construction. A final
engineered design and plan, with drawings and installation details and construction requirements, signed and sealed by a registered professional engineer, is required prior
to actual construction.
(3) Any mechanically-stabilized earth structure involves various engineering, design, material, construction and end-use considerations. Many of these are site specific, such
as (but not limited to) terrain and grading, watertable, the nature and strength of the foundation and backfill soils, the quality and compaction of the backfill, surface and
subsurface water control and drainage, the presence of utilities and other elements in or around the structure, use of proper equipment and construction practices during
installation, neighboring construction activity, load factors, other environmental factors and the like. Final determination of the suitability of any information or material for the
use contemplated and the manner of use is the sole responsibility of the user and its professional advisors, who must assume all risk and liability in connection therewith.
Tensar assumes no responsibility or liability to the recipient or any third party for the whole or any part of the content of any Application Suggestion or other work product.
Tensar is a registered trademark.

Method of
analysis

The calculation method used in this Design Analysis is the tie-back wedge method for MSE walls given in
Chapter 4 of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls and Reinforced Soil Slopes, Design & Construction
Guidelines, Federal Highway Administration, Demonstration Project 82, Publication No FHWA-SA-96-071
(August, 1997).

Reference
Design analysis
prepared by
Designer

123

Date

Apr 2 2011

Page

Tensar International Corporation

Atlanta Office
5883 Glenridge Drive, Suite 200

Tel: +1 404 2501290

Fax: +1 404 2509185
E-mail: web@tensarcorp.com
www.tensar-international.com

Atlanta
GA 30328
United States of America

1 of 9

TensarEarth Retaining Structures

Design Analysis
TensarSoil Version 2.04
Calculations in accordance with:

Demo 82 (FHWA 1997) (seismic loading)

Input data and Section

Project:

Carretera Constanza-Jarabacoa

3.00
1.00

Datum

20
0.60

90

90
2.50

Tensar earth retaining structure Mesa Std Connector

Seismic loading case

Fill/foundation
properties
Design soil
strength
parameters are
peak values

Reference

All dimensions in metres

Soil zone

c'

'

Scale 1:50

bulk

(kN/m) ()

(kN/m)

Reinforced soil

0.0

30.0

19.0

Retained soil

5.0

35.0

19.0

Foundation soil

5.0

30.0

17.6

Date

Apr 2 2011

Page

2 of 9

TensarEarth Retaining Structures

Design Analysis
TensarSoil Version 2.04
Calculations in accordance with:

Seismic
design data
g=
acceleration
due to gravity

Demo 82 (FHWA 1997) (seismic loading)

Input

Limiting
deformation

External mechanisms

Internal mechanisms

A h = 0.20g

50 mm

k h(ext) = 0.11g

k h(int) = 0.25g

A v = 0.00g

50 mm

k v (ext) = 0.00g

k v (int) = 0.00g

Vertical accelerations may act either downwards or upwards

Soil-geogrid
interaction
factors

Sliding coefficient Cds

0.67

Pullout scale factor

0.80

Pullout coefficient Ci is given in

reinforcement layout table

Surcharges
x values are
measured from the
top of the
reinforced fill
block.

No

Load acts from x (m)

To x (m)

Load (kN/m)

Live load/Dead load

-0.02

99.98

12

Live load

Water
pressure data

Location

Height of water level above datum (m)

In front of structure

No water pressures

Within fill

No water pressures

Mechanism

Result

Min/Max

Critical load case

OK?

Eccentricity

0.052 m

1.37 ft max

Static

OK

Overturning

FS = 12.87

2.00 min

Static

OK

Sliding on base

FS = 4.62

1.50 min

Static

OK

Bearing capacity

FS = 7.273

2.500 min

Static

OK

External
stability
results

Internal
stability
results

Reinforcement
layout
Starting and
finishing levels
are related to
datum

Reference

ru

NA

Mechanism

OK?

Mechanism

OK?

Rupture check

OK

Pullout check

OK

Internal sliding

OK

Connection check

OK

Tensar
geogrid

No of
layers

Starting
level (m)

Vertical
spacing (m)

Finishing
level (m)

Coverage
(%)

Ci

UX1400MSE

0.80

0.60

2.60

100

0.67

UX1400MSE

0.20

100

0.67

Date

Apr 2 2011

Page

3 of 9

TensarEarth Retaining Structures

Design Analysis
TensarSoil Version 2.04
Calculations in accordance with:

Required
minimum
factors of
safety
As given in
Chapter 2.7
and Chapter
4.3 d & e (for
seismic internal
& connection)

Further
information
relevent to
this
Tensar
Earth
Retention
System

Demo 82 (FHWA 1997) (seismic loading)

Mechanism

Static loading

Seismic loading

Eccentricity

e<B/6 on soil, e<B/4 on rock

E<B/3 all cases

Overturning

FS = 2.0

FS = 1.5

Sliding on base and geogrid

FS = 1.5

FS = 1.125

Bearing capacity

FS = 2.5

FS = 1.875

Geogrid rupture

FS = 1.5

FS = 1.125

Geogrid pullout

FS = 1.5

FS = 1.125

Connection with facing

FS = 1.5

FS = 1.1

Further information, specifications and bill of quantities

descriptions for this Tensar Earth Retaining Structure
are given in the following documents which form part
of this Design Analysis

The current versions of these documents may be found by following the website link
to "Tensar Documentation" in the Help menu of the TensarSoil program
For program users who do
not have a link to the internet
contact your nearest Tensar
representative or distributor

Reference

System overview
Installation guide
Case histories

Tensar International Corporation

Tel: +1 866 2664980
Fax: +1 404 2509185
E-mail: web@tensarcorp.com
Web: www.tensarcorp.com

Date

Apr 2 2011

Page

4 of 9

TensarEarth Retaining Structures

Design Analysis
TensarSoil Version 2.04
Calculations in accordance with:

Demo 82 (FHWA 1997) (seismic loading)

Detailed calculation results

The following tables provide the detailed results from the design Analysis, including geogrid design data, together with both
external and internal analysis results.
Geogrid reinforcement design data
Geogrid strength is calculated following Chapter 3.5 Section b (geosynthetic reinforcement).
Connection data given below is defined in Chapter 4.3 Section e and the values given are for the
facing system indicated on Page 2.
Design temperature (C)
Design life (years)
20
Tensar
geogrid

UX1400MSE

Ultimate
strength
(kN/m)

Creep
factor

Durability
factor

Installation
damage

T ult

RF cr

RF d

RF id

70.00

2.60

1.10

1.10

FS

1.50

120

Design
strength
(kN/m)

Connection data

Ta

CR s

CR u

22.28

0.27

1.00

Geogrid coordinates and design data

Levels are measured from the datum and horizontal location is measured from the toe of the wall
Tensar
Geogrid

Level
(m)

Left end
(m)

Right end
(m)

Length
(m)

Coverage
%

Pullout interaction
factor Ci

UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE

2.600
2.000
1.400
0.800
0.200

0.300
0.295
0.290
0.285
0.281

3.520
3.516
2.511
2.506
2.502

3.221
3.221
2.221
2.221
2.221

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

0.670
0.670
0.670
0.670
0.670

Reference

Date

Apr 2 2011

Page

5 of 9

TensarEarth Retaining Structures

Design Analysis
TensarSoil Version 2.04
Calculations in accordance with:

Demo 82 (FHWA 1997) (seismic loading)

External stability - unfactored calculated forces

Forces are calculated as per Chapter 4.2 for both static and seismic loading.
Note: negative forces are upwards
Loading direction

Units

Vertical

Horizontal

Forces in or above reinforced block:

Soil mass
Facing
Dead loads
Live loads

kN/m
kN/m
kN/m
kN/m

126.585
10.873
0.000
26.935

Forces behind reinforced block:

From soil
From dead loads
From live loads

kN/m
kN/m
kN/m

-0.057
0.000
-0.076

7.234
0.000
9.648

Static force components

Additional force components due to seismic loading

Forces in or above reinforced block:
Soil mass
Facing
Dead loads
Live loads

kN/m
kN/m
kN/m
kN/m

0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000

7.685
1.201
0.000
0.000

Forces behind reinforced block:

From soil
From dead loads
From live loads

kN/m
kN/m
kN/m

-0.021
0.000
0.000

2.648
0.000
0.000

External stability - eccentricity and overturning

Calculations carried out as per Chapter 4.2 Section d, to establish eccentricity for static loading and
Section h for seismic loading. In addition an overturning calculation is carried out.
Calculation

Units

Static loading

Seismic loading

Total vertical load on base

Total moment on base about centreline
Eccentricity

kN/m
kNm/m
m

137.325
7.129
0.052

137.380
10.662
0.078

Maximum permitted

0.417

0.833

OK

OK

13.866
178.393
12.865

17.489
178.552
10.209

Requirement

2.00

1.50

OK?

OK

OK

OK?
Driving moment about toe
Restoring moment about toe
FS (overturning)

Reference

kNm/m
kNm/m

Date

Apr 2 2011

Page

6 of 9

TensarEarth Retaining Structures

Design Analysis
TensarSoil Version 2.04
Calculations in accordance with:

Demo 82 (FHWA 1997) (seismic loading)

External stability - sliding

Calculations carried out as per Chapter 4.2 Section e for static loading and Section h for seismic
loading.
Calculation

Units

Static loading

Seismic loading

Horizontal driving force

Horizontal resisting force
FS (sliding)

kN/m
kN/m

16.883
79.284
4.696

18.768
79.316
4.226

Requirement

1.50

1.13

OK?

OK

OK

Additional sliding check

For inclined structures an additional sliding check is carried out with the back of the reinforced soil
block defined by a series of steeper lines until the lowest FS value is obtained.
Critical inclination of wall back
deg
90.000
90.000
Horizontal driving force
kN/m
17.308
19.090
Horizontal resisting force
kN/m
80.025
80.025
FS (sliding)
4.624
4.192
Requirement

1.50

1.13

OK?

OK

OK

External stability - bearing capacity check

Calculations carried out as per Chapter 4.2 Section f for static loading and Section h for seismic
loading, using Meyerhof load distribution to take into account eccentricity. The effect of load
inclination is omitted in accordance with Chapter 3.4 Section a.
Calculation

Units

Static loading

Seismic loading

Total vertical load on base

Total horizontal load on base
Total moment on base about centreline
Factor Nc
Factor Nq
Factor N
Effective length L'
Ultimate bearing pressure
Applied bearing pressure
FS (bearing capacity)

kN/m
kN/m
kNm/m

164.260
16.883
3.055
27.607
13.538
16.014
2.463
485.097
66.696
7.273

137.380
18.768
10.662
27.607
13.538
16.014
2.345
468.464
58.590
7.996

Requirement

2.50

1.875

OK?

OK

OK

Reference

m
kN/m
kN/m

Date

Apr 2 2011

Page

7 of 9

TensarEarth Retaining Structures

Design Analysis
TensarSoil Version 2.04
Calculations in accordance with:

Demo 82 (FHWA 1997) (seismic loading)

Internal stability - static loading

Calculations carried out as per Chapter 4.3 Section b (tension check), Section c (pullout check) and
Section e (connection check).
Geogrid Data

Factor of safety

Tensar
geogrid

Level
(m)

Length
(m)

Sv
(m)

Cov
%

Ta
T max
(kN/m) (kN/m)

FS
tension

FSpo
pullout

FScon
rupture

FScon
pullout

UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE

2.60
2.00
1.40
0.80
0.20

3.22
3.22
2.22
2.22
2.22

0.70
0.60
0.60
0.60
0.50

100
100
100
100
100

22.28
22.28
22.28
22.28
22.28

FS
4.84
FS
3.58
FS
2.62
FS
2.07
FS
2.05

1.78
3.93
3.15
4.23
6.37

5.32
3.94
2.88
2.27
2.25

4.11
3.04
2.22
1.75
1.74

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

4.60
6.23
8.51
10.79
10.89

Minimum requirement

Internal stability - seismic loading

Calculations carried out as per Chapter 4.3 Section d (seismic check, both tension and pullout) and
Section e (connection check for seismic).
Geogrid Data

Factor of safety

Tensar
geogrid

Level
(m)

Length
(m)

Sv
(m)

Cov
%

Ta
T max T md
FS
(kN/m) (kN/m) (kN/m) tension

FSpo
pullout

FScon
rupture

FScon
pullout

UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE

2.60
2.00
1.40
0.80
0.20

3.22
3.22
2.22
2.22
2.22

0.70
0.60
0.60
0.60
0.50

100
100
100
100
100

22.28
22.28
22.28
22.28
22.28

1.598
2.977
2.685
3.409
4.752

9.48
5.14
3.63
2.67
2.49

3.69
2.30
1.89
1.41
1.29

1.1

1.1

Page

8 of 9

1.77
3.80
6.08
8.36
8.87

2.32
2.78
1.90
2.36
2.81

Minimum requirement

Reference

8.351
4.575
3.271
2.404
2.239
1.125

Date

1.125

Apr 2 2011

TensarEarth Retaining Structures

Design Analysis
TensarSoil Version 2.04
Calculations in accordance with:

Demo 82 (FHWA 1997) (seismic loading)

Internal sliding check - sliding on geogrids

DEMO 82 does not include a specific requirement or definition for checking sliding on geogrids, so
calculations are carried out as per the external check, Chapter 4.2 Section e for static loading
and Section h for seismic loading.
Geogrid Data

Static loading

Seismic loading

Tensar
geogrid

Level
(m)

Cov
%

Ci

Driving
forces
(kN/m)

Resisting
forces
(kN/m)

FSSL
Sliding

Driving
forces
(kN/m)

Resisting
forces
(kN/m)

FSSL
Sliding

UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE
UX1400MSE

2.60
2.00
1.40
0.80
0.20

100
100
100
100
100

0.670
0.670
0.670
0.670
0.670

0.18
0.54
3.30
7.90
14.33

17.77
28.97
40.17
51.36
62.55

100.00
54.13
12.17
6.50
4.36

0.18
0.57
3.64
8.76
15.92

17.78
28.98
40.18
51.38
62.57

100.00
50.88
11.04
5.87
3.93

Minimum requirement

Reference

1.5

Date

1.125

Apr 2 2011

Page

9 of 9