REINFORCED EARTH WALL

[sannan]

Has anyone used nylon strips in reinforced earth system for tie back? Is such a thing commercially available and where?

 

[reddog99o]

I haven't used nylon strips, but you may want to check with manufacturers like Versa-Lock and Castle-Block. They are on the web under those names. They both, generally, use Geo-Textiles, but I suspect that one or both would have such a system. Remember, all of these proprietary systems are spin-offs of the original "Reinforced Earth Co." System where metal strips were used. All that needs to be done is compare tensile strength, friction etc. No corrosion problems, so it sounds like you are home free. Good Luck.

Best Regards,

R.A. Hassett, P.E.
rah1616@hotmail.com

 

You must also consider construction damage and other factors of saftey. You would probably be better off using a geogrid or geosynthtic that is readily availble so you will know what factors of safety to use and the elongation of the reinforcing material.

 

[curvbridger]

Non-steel straps are commonly used in these walls for light rail transit applications due to electrical field effects.

Contact VSL or Reinforced Earth. They will be able to direct you to the appropriate literature and address availability.

Curvbridger

 

[MSEdesigns]

So far, I have been in the segmental retaining wall bussiness since 1993 and have never heard of Nylon as a reinforcement. Polyesters are the most widely accepted followed by HDPE. Probaly has something to do with the safety factors about biologocal or chemical attack.

 

[bbarrett33]

Any thing with tensile strength can be used. We built and test loaded a reinforced soil bridge pier using cotton sheets from J. C. Penny. The video of this can be obtained from Colorado DOT research dept. The world seems brainwashed that reinforcements must be stiff in-air. Thus more expensive grids are selected when polypropylene fabrics work equally well and are much less expensive. The keys are granualar backfill, close spacing (12 inches or less) and durability.

 

[BigH]

In India in places, they use jute mats for reinforcing.

 

[Focht3]

BigH -

Cotton fabric was used for a brief time in Texas in the 1930's (during what we Americans refer to as "the Depression&quot as a reinforcement for roads - very much like we use geotextiles today. It was a dismal failure - the fabric rotted too quickly to be of much use. What has been the experience with jute in India in this regard?