Monitoring and numerical modelling of an instrumented mechanically stabilised earth wall

The use of mechanically stabilised earth (MSE) structures is becoming widespread, especially for transportation-related infrastructure. The present study is a contribution to a better understanding of MSE wall structural performance, through the analysis of measurements obtained during the construction of a MSE wall for the A4 Portuguese highway, between Amarante and Vila Real – and the development of a numerical model based on the finite-element method. The monitoring programme and equipment are described. The numerical model was developed using a commercially available finite-element software package together with the Mohr–Coulomb elastoplastic constitutive model for the soils. The numerical model was calibrated against measured data. Finally, a parametric analysis was performed to quantify some of the most significant parameters that influence the general behaviour of the wall.