Simulating soil reinforcement interaction using CODE_BRIGHT

Abstract

Reinforced soil structures (RSS) involve a compacted soil mass with embedded elements, orthogonal to the main stress direction, which act as load bearing components. The compound nature of RSS requires a proper characterization of the soil-reinforcement response, which can vary with on-site conditions and soil and reinforcement properties. The present study details the implementation of numerical models to simulate the laboratory-measured pullout response of polymeric strap reinforcements at constant rate of displacement. Soil-reinforcement interfaces were modelled using continuum elements. Various laboratory conditions were reproduced. After a calibration process, numerical results were found to properly reproduce measured data. The described methodology is part of an ongoing test and modelling campaign focussed on the assessment of on-site conditions on the pullout response of polymeric strap reinforcements.