Dynamic behavior of a Mechanically Stabilized Earth wall under harmonic loading: Experimental characterization and 3D finite elements model

This article presents an analysis of a full-scale experimental Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall under harmonic loading. Experimental results are shown and discussed, and compared with 3D finite element simulations. The experimental results indicate that the embankment behavior is linear, and that the displacements of the wall, the tensile forces in the reinforcements, and the stresses in the backfill material are strongly frequency-dependent. The numerical analysis is performed in the time domain with Rayleigh damping and includes special modeling strategies to represent the facing, the ground-reinforcement interface and the overburden pressure. Experimental and numerical values are found to be in good agreement.