Limit analysis of bearing capacity and failure geometry of GRS bridge abutments

Abstract The paper presents analytical investigation of bearing capacity of geosynthetic reinforced soil (GRS) bridge abutments with vertical or nearly vertical facing batter angle. A limit analysis (LA) method is proposed using a y-shaped failure mechanism to determine the bearing capacity and the corresponding failure surface geometry within GRS bridge abutments. The proposed method is validated against results from numerical simulations and limit-equilibrium methods. Parametric analyses are subsequently carried out to examine the effects of backfill strength, reinforcement properties, and abutment geometry on the bearing capacity and failure surface geometry of GRS bridge abutments.