The KC method: Numerical investigation of a new analysis method for reinforced soil walls

Reinforced soil walls commonly include facing elements which affect the mechanical behavior of the system. However, the design procedures involved in the existing codes and manuals (e.g. FHWA, BS8006, AASHTO, etc.) do not consider the structural contribution of the facing to the wall stability. Recently, a new computer based method for the analysis of reinforced soil walls which takes into account the interaction between the facing and the soil reinforcement layers was presented [Klar A and Sas T. Rational approach for the analysis of segmental reinforced soil walls based on kinematic constraints. Geotextiles and Geomembranes 2009;27:332-340]. This method demands full compatibility between the reinforcement layers and the deforming wall, and is solved as an optimization problem on this constraint. This kinematic compatibility (KC) method entails several assumptions regarding the interaction between the three components of the system (soil, wall, and reinforcement). This paper compares the KC method to a more rigorous continuum analysis. Results show that the KC method is capable of replicating the behavior of the more rigorous system, with a good agreement on both the value of maximum tensile forces in the reinforcement and shear and bending moment distributions along the wall. The KC method has a certain advantage over continuum methods, such as finite element or finite difference, since it requires limited input data that can easily be obtained from field tests.