Aspectos diferenciadores entre estructuras de concreto y muros de contención en suelo reforzado

 

The application of retaining walls in reinforced soil is convenient in areas where the surface to intervene is limited, or requires a quick and efficient execution. By including reinforcing elements such as geogrids in the soil masses, the properties of the structure are improved.

Whether it is for the reduction of fill and right of way, expansion of banks or reconformation of slopes with a natural slope, its characteristics will have great advantages over traditional solutions.

Considering this, the civil engineer, Armando Padilla, explains the differences between retaining walls in soil reinforced with geogrids and traditional solutions. If you wish, you can also go to the transcript of this video (Read: Frequent applications of walls in soil reinforced with geosynthetics).

 

If you want to know about the successful application of reinforced soil retaining walls in real projects, we invite you to download our document here.


VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Differentiating aspects between concrete structures and retaining walls in soil reinforced with geosynthetics

When comparing structures in mechanically stabilized soil with geosynthetics and concrete retaining structures, there are three fundamental aspects to take into account: Costs, construction process and behavior. Next, we will delve into each of them.

 

1. Costs

Based on different project analyses, and taking into account reference prices, we know that walls over 4 meters high are cheaper if they are built on mechanically stabilized soil; compared to concrete retaining structures, more so if they require some type of deep foundation.

 

Aspectos diferenciadores entre estructuras de concreto y muros de contención en suelo reforzado

Source: own information    

 

Conditions:

MSR :

  • FORTGRID UX uniaxial geogrid
  • Fibertex,
  • Drainpipe 4¨
  • Infill material (granular sub base)

Concrete wall of toe and heel (J. Calavera)

  • Concrete (400 psi) and steel (410MPa)
  • Infill material (granular sub base)

 

2. The construction process

In the case of retaining walls in reinforced soil, it is simple, fast and does not require highly qualified personnel for its implementation. Additionally, no equipment or machinery other than that used for earthworks is used in any infrastructure project.

Aspectos diferenciadores entre estructuras de concreto y muros de contención en suelo reforzado

3. Your behavior during the service life

  • Structures in mechanically stabilized soil are flexible, basically because of the material with which they are made. This property makes them more tolerant to deformations that the ground may present.

Aspectos diferenciadores entre estructuras de concreto y muros de contención en suelo reforzado

  • This is also one of the reasons why this kind of structures require foundations that are less robust than those that a specific structure might require.
  • Finally, in the event of seismic events, geosynthetic-reinforced soil retaining walls are less susceptible to damage than rigid reinforced concrete structures.