Resistance Factors for MSE Wall Sliding and Overturning Checks

摘要

A transition from working stress design (WSD) to load and resistance factor design (LRFD) is underway in the design of transportation infrastructure in the United States. Due to the ubiquity of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls in this type of application, development of MSE wall design methods using appropriate resistance factors is a priority. Design of MSE walls must consider both external and internal stability. This paper focuses on development of resistance factors for two MSE wall external stability limit states: sliding and overturning. Equations are proposed for estimating the resistances against sliding and overturning. The interim AASHTO load factors were also modified to provide, together with the resistance factors, optimal designs. Resistance factors are proposed as a function of MSE wall heights and target reliability indices.