Behaviour of a scrap tire wall for slope stabilization

Abstract

This paper describes a research project on a new technique for stabilizing soil slopes, using scrap tires. An experimental retaining wall, 60 m long and 4 m high, was constructed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The wall is made of horizontal layers of tires, which are filled with compacted soil. Adjacent tires are tied together with wire or rope. A 2 m high surcharge of compacted soil was placed on top of the backfill. The experimental wall has four instrumented sections, with distinct geometry and tire configurations (cut or uncut). The stress strain behaviour of the soil-tire sections has been back-analysed in detail\, comparing field measurements with numerical predictions. The use of cut tires improves compaction of the soil-tire mass, with a consequent reduction of wall deformability. Both polypropylene ropc and gabion wire proved to be efficient in keeping lateral wall deformations within acceptable limits, although the rope seems to be a more economical option. This research also suggested that the design of retaming walls with a constant width of 3 tires is a safe alternative for gravity walls up to 4 m high.