MIXED MODELLING OF REINFORCED SOILS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE YIELD DESIGN THEORY

Abstract The purpose of the paper is to define a basic reliable framework for the combined use of yield design and mixed modelling. In the so-called “ mixed modelling ”, a soil reinforced by strips, nails or geotextiles, is considered as a continuous medium reinforced by one- or two-dimensional media (rods, beams, membranes or plates). The yield design theory, on the other hand, provides powerful means for investigating the stability of soil structures. Through the example of a simple reinforced soil structure, both static and kinematic methods are reviewed for different types of mixed modelling. The emphasis is placed on the pecularities which should be kept in mind whenever a design method is to be implemented. Finally, a computational program based on the above-mentioned theory is presented.