Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Behavior of Back-to-Back MSE Walls: Interaction Analysis Using Finite Element Modeling

  • Technical Paper
  • Published:
Transportation Infrastructure Geotechnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Back-to-back mechanically stabilized earth (BBMSE) wall is a specific case of modern earth retention technique, where the design of the wall system depends on the spacing between two walls as the limited space behind the wall controls the interaction between them as well as their stability and lateral earth pressure distribution along the wall height (H). In view of the above, this study comprehensively analyzes geogrid reinforced BBMSE walls using finite element numerical modeling to examine the stability and interaction behavior by varying the distance between two interacting MSE walls and investigating the possible mode of failure using the strength reduction method. To attain the aim set for the present study, the width to height (W/H) ratio of the wall is varied, and its consequent effect on the lateral earth pressure (\({\sigma }_{h}/\gamma H\)) of the wall is investigated. Based on the findings, a correction factor for active earth pressure coefficient (i.e., K*) is proposed, facilitating geotechnicians to design a safer and optimized structure with due consideration of the lateral earth pressure on the wall. The factor of safety (FOS) of the wall is evaluated, which indicates that FOS is significantly increased when W/H is reduced. It is also noted that the maximum tension mobilized in the geogrid layers (Tmax) reduces when the two interacting MSE walls are in close proximity. This study also analyzes the critical angle of the failure wedge (β), which significantly reduces with the decreasing D/H ratio of the wall (where D is the distance between two interacting MSE walls). A nonlinear regression analysis is implemented to obtain a generalized equation for predicting the normalized distance of failure peak from the wall facing (x/H) for various W/H ratios along the wall height. This study recommends an optimum overlap length of 0.3H to utilize the reinforced infill and save space during the BBMSE wall construction.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

All the data associated with the study are present in the manuscript itself.

Abbreviations

β :

Critical angle of the failure wedge

BBMSE :

Back-to-back mechanically stabilized earth

c :

Cohesion (kPa)

D :

Distance between two interacting MSE walls (m)

E :

Modulus of elasticity (MPa)

EA :

Elastic stiffness (kN/m)

FOS :

Factor of safety

γ :

Unit weight (kN/m3)

H :

Height of the wall (m)

K a :

Coefficient of active earth pressure

K* :

Correction factor for the active earth pressure coefficient

K ab :

Coefficient of active earth pressure obtained

K ac :

Coefficient of active earth pressure calculated

MSE :

Mechanically stabilized earth

ϕ :

Angle of internal friction of soil (degrees)

\({\sigma }_{h}\)  :

Lateral earth pressure, kPa

T max :

Maximum tension mobilized in the geogrid, kN/m

W :

Total width of the BBMSE wall system (m)

x :

Horizontal distance from the wall facing (m)

z :

Elevation of any point along the height of the wall (m)

References

  • Anderson, P.L., Gladstone, R.A., Brabant, K., Sankey, J.: Back-to-back MSE walls—a comprehensive understanding. In: Innovations in Geotechnical Engineering, IFCEE 2018, pp. 431–447 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784481639.029

  • Anubhav, S., Basudhar, P.K.: Numerical modelling of surface strip footings resting on double-faced wrap-around vertical reinforced soil walls. Geosynth. Int. 18(1), 21–34 (2011). (Thomas Telford Ltd)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balunaini, U., Sravanam S.M., Madhav M.R.: Effect of compaction stresses on performance of back-to-back retaining walls. In: Proceedings of 19th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. ISSMGE, Seoul, pp. 1951–1954 (2017)

  • Benmebarek, S., Djabri, M.: FEM to investigate the effect of overlapping-reinforcement on the performance of back-to-back embankment bridge approaches under self-weight. Transp. Geotech. 11, 17–26 (2017). (Elsevier)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benmebarek, S., Djabri, M.: FE analysis of back-to-back mechanically stabilized earth walls under cyclic harmonic loading. Indian Geotech. J. 48(3), 498–509 (2018). (Springer)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benmebarek, S., Attallaoui, S., Benmebarek, N.: Interaction analysis of back-to-back mechanically stabilized earth walls. J. Rock Mech. Geotech. Eng. 8(5), 697–702 (2016). (Elsevier)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berg, R.R., Christopher B.R., Samtani N.C.: Design and construction of mechanically stabilized earth walls and reinforced soil slopes — volume I. FHWA-NHI-10–024 I (2009a)

  • Berg, R.R., Christopher B.R., Samtani N.C.: Design of mechanically stabilized earth walls and reinforced soil slopes — volume II. FHWA-NHI-10–025 2: 1–404 (2009b)

  • Chauhan, V.B.: Limit analysis of the retaining wall with relief shelves under static surcharge loading using FEM. Sadhana - Acad. Proc. Eng. Sci. 46(3) (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-021-01662-9 Springer India

  • Dasgupta, U.S., Chauhan, V.B., Dasaka, S.M.: Influence of spatially random soil on lateral thrust and failure surface in earth retaining walls. Georisk Assess. Manag. Risk Eng. Syst. Geohazards 11(3), 247–256 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1080/17499518.2016.1266665. (Taylor & Francis)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Sherbiny, R., Ibrahim E., Salem, A.: Stability of back-to-back mechanically stabilized earth walls. In Geo-Congress 2013: Stability and Performance of Slopes and Embankments III, 555–565 (2013)

  • French Ministry of Transport: Reinforced earth structures, recommendations and rules of the art. (English Translation) Paris, France (1979)

  • Han, J., Leshchinsky, D.: Analysis of back-to-back mechanically stabilized earth walls. Geotext. Geomembranes 28(3), 262–267 (2010). (Elsevier)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hardianto, F.S., Truong K.M.: Seismic deformation of back-to-back mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls. In Earth Retention Conference 3, 704–711 (2010)

  • Holtz, R.D., Lee W.F.: Internal stability analyses of geosynthetic reinforced retaining walls. Washington State Transportation Center (TRAC), Report No. WA-RD 532.1. Seattle, Washington (2002). https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/532.1.pdf

  • Huang, B., Bathurst, R.J., Hatami, K.: Numerical study of reinforced soil segmental walls using three different constitutive soil models. J. Geotech. Geoenvironmental Eng. 135(10), 1486–1498 (2009). (American Society of Civil Engineers)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaiswal, S., Chauhan, V.B.: Response of strip footing resting on earth bed reinforced with geotextile with wraparound ends using finite element analysis. Innov. Infrastruct. Solut. 6(2), 1–9 (2021a). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-021-00486-0. (Springer International Publishing)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaiswal, S., Chauhan, V.B.: Assessment of seismic bearing capacity of a strip footing resting on reinforced earth bed using pseudo-static analysis. Civ. Environ. Eng. Reports 31(2), 117–137 (2021b). https://doi.org/10.2478/ceer-2021-0023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaiswal, S., Chauhan, V.B.: Evaluation of optimal design parameters of the geogrid reinforced foundation with wraparound ends using adaptive FEM. Int. J. Geosynth. Gr. Eng. 7(77), 1–18 (2021c). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40891-021-00325-3. (Springer International Publishing)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaiswal, S., Chauhan, V.B.: Influence of secondary reinforcement layers to enhance the stability of steep soil slope under earthquake loading. Arab. J. Geosci. 15(11), 1–15 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10366-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaiswal, S., Srivastava, A., Bhushan Chauhan, V.: 2021a. Improvement of bearing capacity of shallow foundation resting on wraparound geotextile reinforced soil. In International Foundations Congress and Equipment Expo (IFCEE 2021a), 65–74 (2021a). https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483411.007

  • Jaiswal, S., Srivastava, A., Chauhan V.B.: Performance of strip footing on sand bed reinforced with multilayer geotextile with wraparound ends. In Ground Improvement and Reinforced Soil Structures 721–732 (2021b). Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1831-4_64

  • Jaiswal, S., Srivastava, A., Chauhan, V. B.: Numerical modeling of soil-nailed slope using Drucker–Prager model. In Advances in Geo-Science and Geo-Structures, 97–105. Springer, Singapore (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1993-9_11

  • Kannaujiya, P., Chauhan, V.B.: Behavior of anchored sheet pile wall. In: Shehata, H., Brandl, H., Bouassida, M., Sorour, T. (eds.) Sustainable Civil Infrastructures, GeoMEast 2019, pp. 184–195. Springer, Cham (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34184-8_12

  • Kannaujiya, P., Jaiswal, S., Chauhan, V.B.: Studies on the piled raft foundation for a high-rise building using finite element modeling. In Advances in Geo-Science and Geo-Structures, 245–252. Springer Singapore (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1993-9_26

  • Keawsawasvong, S., Ukritchon, B.: Undrained basal stability of braced circular excavations in non-homogeneous clays with linear increase of strength with depth. Comput. Geotech. 115, 103180 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2019.103180. (Elsevier)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keawsawasvong, S., Ukritchon, B.: Design equation for stability of shallow unlined circular tunnels in Hoek-Brown rock masses. Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 79(8), 4167–4190 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-01798-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krabbenhoft, K., Lyamin, A., Krabbenhoft, J.: Optum computational engineering <www.Optumce.Com>.” www.optumce.com (2020)

  • Lai, F., Chen, F., Li, D.: Bearing capacity characteristics and failure modes of low geosynthetic-reinforced embankments overlying voids. Int. J. Geomech. 18(8), 4018085 (2018). (American Society of Civil Engineers)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai, F., Chen, S., Xue, J., Chen, F.: New analytical solutions for shallow cohesive soils overlying trench voids under various slip surfaces. Transp. Geotech. 25, 100411 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2020.100411. (Elsevier)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai, F., Liu, S., Deng, Y., Sun, Y., Wu, K., Liu, H.: Numerical investigations of the installation process of giant deep-buried circular open caissons in undrained clay. Comput. Geotech. 118, 103322 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2019.103322. (Elsevier)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai, F., Yang, D., Liu, S., Zhang, H., Cheng, Y.: Towards an improved analytical framework to estimate active earth pressure in narrow c–φ soils behind rotating walls about the base. Comput. Geotech. 141, 104544 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104544. (Elsevier)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ling, H.I., Cardany, C.P., Sun, L.X., Hashimoto, H.: Finite element study of a geosynthetic-reinforced soil retaining wall with concrete-block facing. Geosynth. Int. 7(3), 163–188 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1680/gein.7.0171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ojha, R., Srivastava, A., Chauhan, V.B.: Study of geosynthetic reinforced retaining wall under various loading. In: Sitharam, T.G., Parthasarathy, C.R., Kolathayar, S. (eds.) Ground Improvement Techniques, pp. 339–351. Springer, Singapore (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9988-0_31

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Pandey, A., Jaiswal, S., Chauhan, V.B.: Numerical studies on the behavior of slope reinforced with soil nails. In Local Site Effects and Ground Failures, 217–228. Springer Singapore (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9984-2_19

  • Sravanam, S.M., Balunaini, U., Madhav, M.R.: Behavior and design of back-to-back walls considering compaction and surcharge loads. Int. J. Geosynth. Gr. Eng. 5(4), 1–17 (2019). (Springer)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sravanam, S.M., Balunaini, U., Madhira, R.M.: Behavior of connected and unconnected back-to-back walls for bridge approaches. Int. J. Geomech. 20(7), 6020013 (2020). (American Society of Civil Engineers)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, A., Chauhan, V.B.: Parametric studies using finite element modeling for the evaluation of the performance of tiered MSE walls under seismic loading. Innov. Infrastruct. Solut. 6(159), 1–16 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-021-00537-6. (Springer International Publishing)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, A., Jaiswal, S., Chauhan, V.B.: Numerical study of geosynthetic-reinforced soil wall subjected to static footing loading. Proc. Eng. Technol. Innov. 17, 13–20 (2021). https://doi.org/10.46604/peti.2021.6693

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava, A., Chauhan V.B.: Numerical studies on two-tiered MSE walls under seismic loading. SN Appl. Sci. 2(10) (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-03414-6

  • Srivastava, A., Jaiswal, S., Chauhan, V. B.: The behavior of multi-tiered mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall. In Ground Improvement and Reinforced Soil Structures, 180–191. Springer, Singapore (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1831-4_63

  • Ukritchon, B., Keawsawasvong, S.: Error in Ito and Matsui’s limit-equilibrium solution of lateral force on a row of stabilizing piles. J. Geotech. Geoenvironmental Eng. 143(9), 02817004 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)gt.1943-5606.0001753

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ukritchon, B., Keawsawasvong, S.: Design equations of uplift capacity of circular piles in sands. Appl. Ocean Res. 90(October 2018), 101844 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2019.06.001. (Elsevier)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ukritchon, B., Yoang, S., Keawsawasvong, S.: Three-dimensional stability analysis of the collapse pressure on flexible pavements over rectangular trapdoors. Transp. Geotech. 21(August), 100277 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2019.100277. (Elsevier)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Won, M.-S., Kim, Y.-S.: Internal deformation behavior of geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls. Geotext. Geomembranes 25(1), 10–22 (2007). (Elsevier)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yodsomjai, W., Keawsawasvong, S., Senjuntichai, T.: Undrained stability of unsupported conical slopes in anisotropic clays based on anisotropic undrained shear failure criterion. Transp. Infrastruct. Geotechnol. 8(4), 557–568 (2021). (Springer)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The second and the third authors would like to acknowledge the support received from the Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, for providing the computational facilities to carry out this research work during their master’s program.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur, 273010, India

    Vinay Bhushan Chauhan, Ananya Srivastava & Sagar Jaiswal

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342030, India

    Ananya Srivastava

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India

    Sagar Jaiswal

  4. Department of Civil Engineering, Thammasat School of Engineering, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand

    Suraparb Keawsawasvong

Authors
  1. Vinay Bhushan Chauhan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ananya Srivastava
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sagar Jaiswal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Suraparb Keawsawasvong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sagar Jaiswal.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chauhan, V.B., Srivastava, A., Jaiswal, S. et al. Behavior of Back-to-Back MSE Walls: Interaction Analysis Using Finite Element Modeling. Transp. Infrastruct. Geotech. 10, 888–912 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40515-022-00248-0

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40515-022-00248-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation