Numerical Study of Resistance Parameters in Soil Nailing Systems with Various Configurations (Case Study: Marl Soils of Tabriz
Subject Areas : Analysis of Structure and Earthquake
1 -
Keywords: Reinforced walls, Soil nailing, Safety factor, FLAC3D ,
Abstract :
Soil nailing is a stabilization method utilizing tensile-resistant steel elements that can be employed for excavation and steep slope construction under static and dynamic loads. This research numerically investigates the resistance parameters of soil nailing systems in marly soils. The case study involves a 300-meter-long wall in Tabriz city, which experienced collapse and cracking at three points due to insufficient nail lengths and construction modifications. Using FLAC3D software, five different configurations were analyzed, and the results were compared with Yazdandoost’s laboratory model. Results indicated that Model M1 with uniform nail lengths and Model M2 with a gradual 10% reduction in nail lengths from top to bottom showed unbalanced force distribution. In addition, Models M3 and M4, which included increased nail lengths in the upper and middle sections, also demonstrated suboptimal performance. Finally, Model M5, incorporating a 20% increase in nail lengths in the bottom row, exhibited the best performance with a maximum axial force of 169 (KN) and a safety factor of 1.44. The high correlation between numerical and laboratory results, with regression coefficients of 0.97 for wall displacement and 0.96 for axial force, validated the modeling accuracy. This study demonstrated that proper design of nail lengths and arrangements, particularly in the lower wall section, plays a crucial role in structural stability.
[1] Fan C, Liu H, Cao J, Ling HI. Responses of reinforced soil retaining walls subjected to horizontal and vertical seismic loadings. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering. 2020;129:105969.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2019.105969
[2] Kilic IE, Cengiz C, Edincliler A, Guler E. Seismic behavior of geosynthetic-reinforced retaining walls backfilled with cohesive soil. Geotextiles and Geomembranes. 2021;1;49(5):1256-69.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2021.04.004
[3] Shahir, H., Delfan, S. Numerical Investigation of Nailing Pattern Effect on Nailed Wall Performance. Civil Engineering Infrastructures Journal, 2021; 54(2): 331-350.
https://doi.org/10.22059/ceij.2021.298632.1659
[4] Li J. Field study of a soil nailed loose fill slope [Ph.D. thesis]. Hong Kong: The University of Hong Kong. 2003; 200.
https://doi.org/10.5353/th_b3124567
[5] Dadadszadeh N, Hashemi M, Gazifard A, Asghari-Kaljahi E. Physical properties of Tabriz gray marlstone, NW of Iran. In: Smart Geotechnics for Smart Societies. Chemical Rubber Company Press. 2023; 845–52. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003299127-115
[6] Bhuiyan MZ, Wang S, Carter J. New test facility for studying the behavior of pressure-grouted soil nails. Transportation Geotechnics. 2022; 34: 100752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trgeo.2022.100752
[7] Marwane H, Mohamed EH, Mohammed M, Bensaid M, Kamal B, Mohammed A, Morabit A. Soil nailing for slope stabilization: an overview. Interactions. 2025;246(1):1-23.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10751-024-02234-z
[8] Shen CK, DeNatale JS, Kulchin L, Romstad KM, Bang S. Field measurements of an earth support system. Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division. 1981;107(12):1625-42. https://doi.org/10.1061/AJGEB6.0001217
[9] Esmaeili F, Varshosaz M, Ebadi H. Displacement measurement of the soil nail walls by using close range photogrammetry and introduction of CPDA method. Measurement. 2013;46(9):3449-59.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2013.04.069
[10] Babu G, Singh V. Soil nails field pullout testing: evaluation and applications. International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. 2010; 4(1):13-21. https://doi.org/10.3328/IJGE.2010.04.01.13-21
[11] Hong CY, Yin JH, Pei HF, Zhou WH. Experimental study on the pullout resistance of pressure-grouted soil nails in the field. Canadian geotechnical journal. 2013; 50(7):693-704. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2012-0103
[12] Wang H, Cheng J, Li H, Dun Z, Cheng B. Full-scale field test on construction mechanical behaviors of retaining structure enhanced with soil nails and prestressed anchors. Applied Sciences. 2021;27; 11(17):7928.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app11177928
[13] Ghareh S. Parametric assessment of soil-nailing retaining structures in cohesive and cohesionless soils. Measurement. 2015; 73:341-51.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2015.05.043
[14] Ye X, Wang S, Wang Q, Sloan SW, Sheng D. Numerical and experimental studies of the mechanical behavior for compaction grouted soil nails in sandy soil. Computers and Geotechnics. 2017; 90: 202-14.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2017.06.011
[15] Bonab BA, Oliaei M. Cyclic and Postcyclic Pullout Resistance of Soil Nail. International Journal of Geomechanics. 2023; 23(11):06023019. https://doi.org/10.1061/IJGNAI.GMENG-8493
[16] Hong CY, Zhang YF, Guo JW, Li GY. Experimental study on the influence of drillhole roughness on the pullout resistance of model soil nails. International Journal of Geomechanics. 2016;16(2):04015047. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000491
[17] Palmeira EM, Araújo GL, Santos EC. Sustainable solutions with geosynthetics and alternative construction materials—A review. Sustainability. 2021; 13(22):12756. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212756
[18] Yang G, Ding J, Zhou Q, Zhang B. Field behavior of a geogrid reinforced soil retaining wall with a wrap-around facing. Geotechnical Testing Journal. 2010; 33(1):96-101. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ102410
[19] Rostami S, Vafaei Poursorkhabi R, Naseri A. Enhancing trench stability: a geogrid reinforcement approach. Proceedings. 2024;105(1):114.
https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2024105114
[20] Shakeel M, Azam R, Riaz MR, Shihata A. Design optimization of reinforced concrete cantilever retaining walls: A state-of-the-art review. Advances in Civil Engineering. 2022:4760175.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4760175
[21] Gandomi AH, Kashani AR, Roke DA, Mousavi M. Optimization of retaining wall design using evolutionary algorithms. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. 2017; 55:809-25.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-016-1521-3
[22] Tokhi H, Ren G, Li J. Laboratory study of a new screw nail and its interaction in sand. Computers and Geotechnics. 2016; 78:144-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.05.009
[23] Wei XX, Zou JF, Chen GH. Seismic stability analysis of heterogeneous slopes reinforced by inclined soil nails. European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering. 2023; 27(16):4544-62. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2023.2194938
[24] Yin JH, Su LJ. An innovative laboratory box for testing nail pull-out resistance in soil. Geotechnical Testing Journal. 2006; 29(6):451-61. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ100216
[25] Liu H, Tang L, Lin P, Mei G. Accuracy assessment of default and modified Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) simplified models for estimation of facing tensile forces of soil nail walls. Canadian Geotechnical Journal. 2018; 55(8):14 https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2017-0237
[26] Baghal AE, Maleki A, Vafaei R. On the Pull-Out Behavior of Hooked-End Shape Memory Alloys Fibers Embedded in Ultra-HighPerformance Concrete. International Journal of Engineering & Technology Innovation. 2021; 11(4):6.
https://doi.org/10.46604/IJETI.2021.7060
[27] Yazdandoust M. Experimental study on seismic response of soil-nailed walls with permanent facing. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering. 2017; 98:101–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2017.04.009