ABSTRACT
Geosynthetic reinforced retaining walls and steep slopes have been extensively used in the last two decades. The main reasons for that are its cost-effectiveness, improvements in geosynthetic material properties, design procedures, and better controlled construction techniques. Because they are flexible structures, geosynthetic retaining walls are likely to accept differential settlements rather well. Therefore, its use should be considered when dealing with compressive foundation soil layers, where other solutions might not be appropriate. In these cases geosynthetic reinforced walls may provide a suitable structure in terms of flexibility and savings in maintenance costs due to repairs required by any damage caused by differential settlements (facing damages, for instance). As will be seen later in this chapter, in some cases the settlements may be significant but the structure can still be operational.
