Experimental Setup
Model tests are conducted to study the behaviour of the retaining walls without and with reinforced backfill. To carry out the tests, a custom designed experimental test set up was fabricated. The dimensions of test tank were measured as 700 mm long x 400 mm wide x 550 mm high. The test tank was fabricated using 10 mm thick steel sheets in order to ensure minimum deformations and one side of test tank was fitted with Perspex sheet to observe the failure pattern of backfill. The model test wall was positioned at 120 mm from the front face of the tank in order to accommodate the wall deformations, including the failure deformations during the collapse stage. The scope of testing program includes study of cellular reinforced soil retaining wall with full height facing. Therefore, stiff plywood of 10 mm thickness, with 525 mm height and 400 mm in width was used to simulate the independent full height facing. The laboratory test layout of cellular (geocell) reinforced wall shown in Fig. 1.