factor of safety of reinforced earth walls using SRM method

JigneshBPatel
JigneshBPatel Posts: 3 Calcite Rank Badge
in GeoStudio

I am a research scholar working on FEM analysis of reinforced earth (MSE) walls using SIGMA/W to evaluate both deformation and factor of safety (FoS). While the deformation results appear reasonable, I am facing issues with the stability results.

When I run the analysis using the Strength Reduction Method (SRM) in SIGMA/W, the model often shows failure at very low FoS values (e.g., 1.025–1.05), even though the corresponding deformations are quite small and do not suggest imminent failure.

This raises a doubt whether the SRM approach in SIGMA/W is fully applicable for models that include reinforcement elements (e.g., geogrids in reinforced earth walls).

Could you please clarify:

  • Is the SRM method in SIGMA/W valid for reinforced earth wall models with reinforcement elements?
  • If so, are there specific modeling considerations or parameter settings that I should be careful about to obtain realistic FoS values?

deformation contour and plastic points at finasl stage of construction

image.png image.png

plastic points in case of fos 1.05 srm method

image.png

Answers

  • PrachiChitkara
    PrachiChitkara Posts: 419 admin

    @JigneshBPatel Hi! Were you able to get this resolved?

  • JigneshBPatel
    JigneshBPatel Posts: 3 Calcite Rank Badge

    no

  • TrevorKent
    TrevorKent Posts: 45 Diamond Rank Badge
    edited December 2025

    Hi @JigneshBPatel, SRS should be compatible with reinforcement. Have you investigated any SRFs above 1.05? I would recommend looking at the Relative Unbalanced Energy Error vs. SRF graph if you have and seeing where the relative unbalanced energy error increases abruptly, like shown here at SRF=1.4.

    image.png
  • JigneshBPatel
    JigneshBPatel Posts: 3 Calcite Rank Badge
    Screenshot (294).png
    Screenshot (295).png

    you can see the plots between 1.relative unbalanced energy vs strength reduction factor

    2.stress iteration count vs SRF

    AND I AM OBSERVING ONE MORE ISSUE DIVIATRIC STRAINS ARE ACCUMULATING AT FACING ONLY NOT FOLLOWING LIKE FAILURE SURFACE THEROY AND MAXIMUM REINFORCEMENT AXIAL LOADS ALSO NEAR FACING WHY IS THERE ANY POSSIBLE MISTAKE IN MODDELING

    image.png
  • TrevorKent
    TrevorKent Posts: 45 Diamond Rank Badge

    Hi @JigneshBPatel, thanks for posting those. They agree with the low factor of safety determined by examining the plastic states.

    Another idea I had was that your reinforcement doesn't go all the way to the face which could be causing issues.

    If that doesn't change anything, would you mind opening a ticket using this link and attaching your file so I can take a closer look? https://www.geoslope.support/new/

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