Behaviour analysis of a geogrid reinforced steep slope

Abstract

 geogrid reinforced steep slope was built and monitored during construction and during the first ten months of service. The slope is located between Régua and Reconcos in the new Portuguese main itinerary, IP3, and is a part of reestablishment 2. The reinforced slope has an extension of about 206,2 m, is in curve and the reinforced area reaches a maximum height of about 19,6 m in the outside curve slope at km O+150 (monitored slope cross section).

The reinforcements are high density polyethylene geogrids; materials with different tensile strength values were used. The reinforcement strains were measured at three reinforcement levels using linear extensometers. The soil vertical stresses were recorded using load cells. The internal horizontal displacements of the slope were recorded using two inclinometer tubes. The face displacements were recorded topographically in points spaced approximately 1,2 m, vertically, along the face of the slope on the km O+150 cross section.

The behaviour of the observed reinforced slope is characterized by: low values of face displacements, slope internal horizontal displacements and reinforcement strains.