Abstract
In order to apply soilbags to permanent earth reinforcement, the deformation and strength properties of soilbags are studied experimentally and theoretically in this paper. The ways to increase the soilbag/soilbag as well as soilbag/ground frictional resistances are investigated. A set of formulas for predicting the strength and deformation of soilbags with different inclination angles to the externally applied forces are proposed and confirmed by comparing the predicted results with the results of the biaxial compression tests on two-dimensional model soilbags. Based on the deformation and strength properties of soilbags, the design methods for constructing embankments, retaining walls and building foundations with soilbags are established.
