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International Journal of Engineering Technology and Construction, 2025, 6(1); doi: 10.38007/IJETC.2025.060113.

Influence of Pile Length on Performance of Prestressed Geosynthetic-Reinforced Sheet Pile Walls via Model Tests

Author(s)

Yong Liu1, Zhilong Shi1, Tengfei Yan2,3

Corresponding Author:
Tengfei Yan
Affiliation(s)

1China Railway Eryuan Chongqing Survey and Design Institute Co., Ltd., Chongqing 401120, China

2School of Civil Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China

3No.1 Jiaxing Hospital, Jiaxing 314000, China

Abstract

Prestressed geosynthetic-reinforced sheet pile retaining walls are increasingly considered for railway applications requiring enhanced load-bearing performance and deformation control. This study investigates the effects of prestress and pile length on the structural response of such composite walls through two sets of scaled indoor model tests. Load–settlement behavior, horizontal displacement, bending moments, reinforcement strains, and earth pressure distributions were measured under pre-prestressed and post-prestressed loading conditions. Results indicate that prestressing significantly increases ultimate bearing capacity, enhances soil–reinforcement interaction, and reduces lateral displacement. Shorter piles exhibit lower bearing capacity, higher horizontal displacement, and increased reinforcement strain due to reduced anchorage and weaker soil restraint. Bending moment distributions follow a parabolic pattern, with prestressing amplifying peak moments and strains, particularly in short-pile configurations. The findings provide experimental evidence for the design and optimization of prestressed geosynthetic-reinforced sheet pile walls in railway engineering, offering insights into their load transfer and deformation mechanisms.

Keywords

Prestressing; Geosynthetic reinforcement; Sheet pile retaining wall; Bearing capacity; Railway embankment

Cite This Paper

Yong Liu, Zhilong Shi, Tengfei Yan. Influence of Pile Length on Performance of Prestressed Geosynthetic-Reinforced Sheet Pile Walls via Model Tests. International Journal of Engineering Technology and Construction (2025), Vol. 6, Issue 1: 130-140. https://doi.org/10.38007/IJETC.2025.060113.

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