Application of elastic cable theory in design of reinforced earth structure

Under differential settlement, the researches on the joint stress between the reinforced earth retaining wall panel and the reinforced materials and the deformation of the reinforced materials at the present stage are few. For example, differential settlement is prone to occure in the reinforced soil retaining wall of soft soil foundation, and the imperfection of the related theory also leads to the low regional applicability of reinforced soil retaining wall. In order to improve the design theory of the reinforced earth retaining wall, the elastic cable theory is regarded as the theoretical basis. For the joints between the reinforced earth retaining wall and the reinforced materials, based on the existing theories for the deformation and earth pressure of reinforced earth retaining wall, a set of methods for the stress distribution and deformation curves of the reinforced soil retaining wall are established under differential settlement. The feasibility and accuracy of the method are verified through the theoretical analysis and the experimental data of the indoor model. The proposed method has the advantages of simple calculation and wide application, and it can be used to explain the failure mode of the connection between the panel and the reinforced materials. It is of certain guiding significance for the design theory of the reinforced earth retaining wall, especially in the design of settlement control.