Capacity of Laterally Loaded Shafts Constructed Behind the Face of a Mechanically Stabilized Earth Block Wall

摘要

Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls are an inexpensive and aesthetically attractive means of retaining soil. While the design principles for MSE structures have been accepted for several decades, space restrictions at MSE wall sites have led to new demands on MSE wall structures to support laterally loaded deep foundation elements constructed within the reinforced mass. Current design procedures for such configurations are by necessity based on very conservative design assumptions due to the lack of test data. This report contains estimates of the capacity of concrete columns, commonly referred to as drilled shafts, constructed behind the facing of a mechanically stabilized earth wall within the reinforced mass. This is the first of two reports on this topic and contains design capacity recommendations for 36 inch diameter shafts constructed behind an MSE wall with a height of 20 feet based on full scale field testing. It also contains recommendations for P-Y curve analyses for similar wall-shaft configurations. Recommendations for design lateral shaft capacities based on ultimate shaft load and on allowable deformations are presented in Chapter Five of this report.