Analysis of conventional and helical soil nails using finite element method and limit equilibrium method

Area of Science:

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Soil Mechanics

Background:

• Infrastructure development relies heavily on geotechnical solutions for slope stability and deep foundations.
• Soil nailing is an evolving technique for ground improvement and stabilization.
• Limited research exists on the pullout behavior and stability analysis of helical soil nails (HN) in c-Φ soil compared to conventional soil nails (CN).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare the performance of novel helical soil nails (HN) against conventional soil nails (CN) in c-Φ soil.
• To analyze the stability of slopes reinforced with both conventional and helical soil nails using laboratory and analytical methods.
• To uniquely incorporate theoretical equations and finite element analysis (FEA) for a comprehensive comparison.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory-based pullout tests on model conventional and helical soil nails.
• Analytical methods including theoretical equations and the limit equilibrium method (LEM).
• Numerical analysis using finite element method (FEM) with PLAXIS 2D software.

Main Results:

• Helical soil nails (HN) demonstrated significantly less deformation under load compared to conventional soil nails (CN).
• A higher factor of safety was observed for helical soil nails (HN) in comparison to conventional soil nails (CN) under identical conditions.
• Experimental, analytical, and numerical findings consistently supported the superior performance of HN.

Conclusions:

• Helical soil nails (HN) present a more effective solution for slope stability and ground reinforcement in c-Φ soils.
• The study provides valuable data and analysis for the application of helical soil nails in civil engineering projects.
• HN offers enhanced stability and reduced deformation, making them a promising alternative to conventional soil nails.