Earth pressure and deformation mode of a retaining wall constructed with soilbags

The retaining wall constructed with soilbags is relatively flexible and may deform under the action of the lateral earth pressure. The distribution and value of the lateral earth pressure are quite different from those of a rigid retaining wall. Model tests are performed on a retaining wall constructed with soilbags to investigate the deformation mode of the wall and the failure mode of the back-filled soil. The distribution of the earth pressures along the height of the wall and the horizontal transfer within the retaining wall are investigated. An equation for calculating the earth pressure on the retaining wall of soilbags is derived from the force equilibrium of a differential element. The earth pressures calculated by the derived equation agree roughly with the experimental measurements. The frictions between the soilbags are experimentally investigated, and are used to explain the horizontal decrease of the earth pressures within the retaining wall.