Structural system reliability analyse of reinforced earth retaining wall

Based on the structural system reliability theory, the limit state functions of various failure modes of reinforced earth retaining wall and their logic relationships were analyzed, the structural system reliability calculation model was established and a practical project was analyzed. The results show that the reliability of a single failure modes can not indict the stability state of reinforced earth retaining wall and the structure system reliability should be analyzed; the reinforcement may be damaged by broken or pull-out, but the two failure modes are incompatible; the internal stability of reinforced earth retaining wall is the result of combined effect of multiple layers reinforcements and they follow the model of k/n. The external stability refers to four failure modes, in which the stability against sliding and overturning are incompatible, and they compose a series system with bearing capacity of foundation and the overall stability; the local stability follows the model of k/n also; and the internal stability, external stability and local stability constitute a series system.