Influence of reinforcement design on seismic stability of full-height panel MSE walls

A numerical study was carried out to investigate the seismic stability of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls using a finite element limit analysis (FELA) approach. The numerical method was validated using results from shaking table tests and limit equilibrium (LE) analysis. A series of parametric analyses was subsequently carried out to examine the influences of reinforcement design on seismic stability and failure mechanisms in full-height panel MSE walls. Results of the study indicate that, as opposed to the linear or bilinear failure mechanisms typically assumed in current design guidelines, more complex failure geometries could form in the backfills that involve extended reinforcement, which can be captured and analyzed using the FELA method employed in this study. The results also confirm the current consensus that placing longer reinforcement layers at the top of the wall (i.e. tapering-down arrangement) can help improve its seismic stability. However, in shorter walls or when high-strength reinforcement is used, a tapering-up reinforcement arrangement could also lead to increased seismic stability.