Abstract: A field measured model which is 12 m high is built to study the long-term performances of grid reinforced slope. At the same time, a numerical procedure based on finite element methods for analysis of behavior of deformations and stresses of reinforced earth structures is presented. In the proposed method, the nonlinear creep behavior of both backfill and geosynthetics used for reinforcements is taken into account by using the rheological models of visco-elasto-plasticity and nonlinear visco-elasticity respectively. Additionally, the panel and the backfill as well as the panel and the panel are rationally considered. The layer-by-layer filling process of backfill of retaining wall is also simulated. Comparing with the conventional calculation methods and the field measured data, the effectiveness of the method is proved tentatively. Meanwhile, the failure mode, the distribution of tensile stress of reinforcing materials and the safety index in high reinforced retaining walls are obtained.

Key words: expressway, reinforcement, slope, numerical analysis