Modelling a geotextile-reinforced, brick-faced soil retaining wall

Scale models are a powerful means of studying engineering problems; they are versatile because it is easier to make alterations, relatively inexpensive because less space is required, as well as requiring less time for construction, instrumentation, and testing. This paper describes the work carried out in an experimental study on the behaviour of geotextile-reinforced, brick-faced soil retaining walls by means of one-fifth (1/5) scale models under normal gravity (Ig) and compares the model results with data from a previous research programme on prototype-scale walls. The modelling was based on the principles of similarity and dimensional analysis. An experimental apparatus was designed and suitable materials were selected taking into account the modelling requirements. Comparisons between the model results and those obtained in previous prototype-scale tests were undertaken. An acceptable degree of agreement was achieved.