Abstract:
Different forms of earth retaining systems used at present can be separated into two broad categories as, externally stabilized systems and internally stabilized systems (Jones et al - 1985). An externally stabilized system uses an external structural wall against which stabilizing and disturbing forces are mobilized. All the traditional retaining walls can be considered as externally stabilized systems. Their supportive action could have been derived from their weight, flexural rigidity or by a combination of the both.
In internally stabilized systems, the closely spaced reinforcements and the soil behave as one structural unit. A facing is used to prevent erosion and deterioration. It does not carry any significant structural load. One important aspect of an internally stabilized system is its incremental form of construction. As the soil mass is partitioned each portion receives support from a locally inserted reinforcing element. In contrast, with conventional externally stabilized structures, pressures are integrated to produce an overall force to be resisted by the external structure
