2001 Volume 16 Pages 259-264
Geogrids and expanded polystyrol (EPS) products have been recently employed for the construction of earth structures. In this paper, the mechanism of earth pressure reduction, acting on the wall retaining geogrid and EPS reinforced sandy soils, are explored using a large-scale model container with a mobile retaining model wall. It is found that the installation of EPS blocks behind the wall reduces the earth pressure at rest, and that the embedment of geogrid layers within the backfill reduces the active earth pressure. The mechanism behind the earth pressure reduction is discussed in connection with compressive displacement of EPS blocks, tensile strains developed along geogrid layers, and so forth.
