Static and dynamic analysis of two mechanically stabilized earth walls

The behaviour of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls (MSEW), with vertical precast concrete facing panels and polymeric strip, has been analysed under harmonic loading to investigate about the dynamic wall performance. To this aim, a FEM analysis has been carried out. The numerical model was the same of a full scale test of a 6 meters high wall built at Jundiai, Brazil. Reinforcements in this wall were of polymeric strips made with high tenacity polyester and heavily LLDPE coated. Once the numerical model was verified, comparing numerical and experimental results under static loading, the 2D FEM model was then subjected to harmonic loading to analysed stress and deformation on geostrips. For this case, it has been found that the axial forces on reinforcements deduced by the numerical analysis are less than those predicted by the AASHTO LRFD under both static and harmonic loading. Under harmonic loading and for the accelerations utilized, it seems that the locus of maximum axial forces deduced by FEM analysis is different from the one predicted by the Coherent Gravity Method.