Abstract
A series of shaking table tests were performed to validate a high dynamic stability of preloaded and prestressed geosynthetic-reinforced soil (PLPS GRS) abutment. Three-dimensional models, which were free from the friction between the backfill and the sidewalls of the sand box, were used. The test results revealed that the dynamic stability increases significantly by increasing the dry density of backfill and by fixing the tie rod to the top reaction block by using a ratchet system. It was shown that the ratchet system not only prevents a large reduction in the vertical prestress applied to a PLPS GRS structure when the backfill exhibits compression, but also contributes significantly to the dynamic stability of the structure by preventing the increase in the height of backfill. It was shown that by the latter function, the dynamic stability of PLPS GRS abutment could be very high even when the initial prestress is very low.
