Published: 2001 | Category: Activity management , Research programme , Research & reports | Audience: General
Geosynthetic-reinforced soils (GRS) have been found to be cost-effective compared to traditionally used retaining structures in specific situations. As a consequence the application of GRS to structures carrying roads and/or pedestrian traffic is rapidly increasing. Also GRS structures are less prone to damage under seismic loads than conventional type structures.
GRS is a comparatively new technique and the desgin methods for GRS are not well established. As a result, New Zealand geotechnical engineers currently use several different overseas standards and design guidelines to design GRS structures. Therefore research was undertaken to prepare guidelines for design and construction of GRS structures in New Zealand. Stage 1, undertaken in 1997–1998, has been published as a review and discussion paper in 1998. The result of stage 2 is this draft of comprehensive guidelines for design and constuction of GRS structures, both walls and slopes, in New Zealand. They have been developed for use by New Zealand consultants, contractors, and road controlling authorities. Comment on the draft is invited from persons and organisations concerned with this subject.
Keywords: construction, design, earthquakes, failure, geosythetics, loading, New Zealand, reinforcement, roads, run-off, stability, strength, structure
