Probabilistic analysis of a geosynthetic reinforced MSE wall considering spatial variability of soil properties

The results of probabilistic analysis of an MSE wall with geosynthetic reinforcement, considering spatial variability of reinforced and foundation soil properties using the 2D non -circular Random Limit Equilibrium Method (RLEM) are presented. In this study, it is assumed that the foundation soil and reinforced soil are different, i.e. the reinforced soil is assumed a purely frictional soil, while the foundation is a c - soil. A negative cross-correlation between cohesion and friction angle and a positive cross-correlation between cohesion and unit weight, and between friction angle and unit weight are also assumed. It is shown in this study that, considering only random variability of soil properties results in a high probability of failure for design (not acceptable for design). However, including spatial variability of soil properties and cross-correlation between soil input parameters provide an acceptable range for probability of failure for design purposes.

Keywords:

Spatial variability , 2D non-circular RLEM Method , Probabilistic Analysis