Testing and FEM Analysis on Earth Pressure in Geogrid-reinforced Retaining Wall

To research the distribution regularity of earth pressure in geogrid-reinforced retaining wall,in-situ tests and finite element analysis were carried out on a retaining wall. The influences of geogrid's parameters and filling material's weight density on earth pressure distribution was analyzed. Results showed that:( 1) All numerical solutions of lateral earth pressure behind retaining wall's panel were smaller than the design value according to industry standard,and the value of lateral earth pressure decreased with the decrease of geogrid's spacing and the increase of geogrid's length and stiffness. Weight density of filling material had no apparent effect on lateral earth pressure.( 2) Vertical earth pressure beneath the retaining wall's basement fluctuated apparently near the wall's panel. Except for some values which exceeded the design value,the vertical earth pressure at other places consisted well with the design value. The performance of geogrid had no apparent effect on the vertical earth pressure.