Shaking table tests on polymeric-strip reinforced-soil walls adjacent to a rock slope

This research adopts the approach to constructing reinforced-soil walls on rock slope, where the extent of reinforced zone has to be constrained since excavation of the relatively rigid zone may not be economical and may disrupt the traffic. To examine the seismic behavior of these structures, a series of 1-g shaking table tests using variable-amplitude harmonic excitations was conducted on 0.8m-high polymeric-strip reinforced-soil walls (PSWs) on rock slope under a scenario of waves with different intensities. Rock slope appeared to have a satisfactory dynamic response compared to the soil base as the rock behind the reinforced zone controls the development of active wedge failure and prevents higher amplification and progressive deformation. The results illustrated that the confining pressure and reinforcement length considerably affect the shear modulus and damping ratio. Also, it was found that in PSWs on rock with L/H ratio of 0.3 for bottom strips, the lowest facing panel, having the maximum horizontal displacements after failure, and lower maximum shear modulus (Gmax), and damping ratio (D), is the most crucial one despite having the highest confining pressure representing the profound effect of L/H ratio when it equals 0.3. •Shaking table tests on earth walls reinforced with polymeric strips built on rock slope.•The effect of base material, peak acceleration and reinforcement length on the seismic behavior of reinforced earth walls.•Analytical investigation and variation trend of equivalent shear modulus (G) and damping ratio (D).•Horizontal displacement, failure mechanism, shear stress-strain hysteresis loops.