ABSTRACT
Typical design of geosynthetic-reinforced soil structures is based on the arbitrary classification of a wall and slope, which require different checks of internal and compound stability. However, both limit state conditions may be evaluated consistently through Limit Equilibrium (LE) analyses, particularly when the solutions are used to solve for tensile loads within reinforcements, such as that proposed by Leshchinsky et al. (2017). Herein various expanded examples using the top-down LE method and associated tension maps are explored to demonstrate the nuance and complexity of internal and compound stability, even for seemingly simple geosynthetic reinforced soil structures. Further, a special limit state design condition is explored – called “hybrid” stability conditions, where specific applications such as a footing placed on reinforced soil, may encounter a variety of failure mechanisms that related to external stability, compound stability and internal stability. Nuances of these complex, but increasingly relevant case are discussed, and potential limit state analyses are proposed. Lastly, future directions are briefly described.
