Effect of rainfall on performance of reinforced earth wall

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Abstract

This paper presents the results of a numerical investigation on the effect of rainfall on the performance of a reinforced earth wall. A series of limit-equilibrium based slope stability analyses within the framework of unsaturated shear strength, coupled with transient infiltration analyses considering actual rainfall record were performed to quantify the effect of rainfall on the performance of the reinforced earth wall in terms of factor of safety. A parametric study was additionally conducted on the rainfall intensity. The results indicated that the reinforced wall stability, in terms of factor of safety, could be significantly decreased when subject to rainfall due to decrease in shear strength of backfill casued by the reduction in matric suction. Also shown is that there appears to exist a critical rainfall volume beyond which no further significant decrease in the factor of safety occurs. Practical implications on the findings of this study will also be discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGeo-Frontiers 2011
Subtitle of host publicationAdvances in Geotechnical Engineering - Proceedings of the Geo-Frontiers 2011 Conference
Pages1852-1861
Number of pages10
Edition211 GSP
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
EventGeo-Frontiers 2011: Advances in Geotechnical Engineering - Dallas, TX, United States
Duration: 13 Mar 201116 Mar 2011

Publication series

NameGeotechnical Special Publication
Number211 GSP
ISSN (Print)0895-0563

Conference

ConferenceGeo-Frontiers 2011: Advances in Geotechnical Engineering
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDallas, TX
Period13/03/1116/03/11

Keywords

  • Earth-fill dams
  • Rainfall
  • Retaining walls

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