Centrifuge model tests on performance of MSE walls with different facing types

Abstract

The role of wall facing is crucial in the design of MSE walls. This study employed two centrifuge model tests specifically designed to analyze walls with two distinct facing types: full-height panel facing and modular block facing. Additionally, surcharge loads were applied to these MSE walls to simulate real-world conditions. The findings from these tests revealed that MSE walls with full-height panel facing exhibited superior performance under the combined effects of self-weight and surcharge loads. The measured maximum horizontal displacements in walls with full-height panel facing and modular block facing were about 55% and 85% of those predicted from current design guidelines at EOS3, respectively. The influence of the surcharge loads on the reinforcement loads was found to be substantial for both wall types, especially for the case of model wall with modular block facing, where the reinforcement loads in the upper half of the wall increased by about 30% from EOS2 to EOS3. The insights garnered from this study contribute to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the impact of facing types on the practical construction and design of MSE walls, offering valuable guidance for future engineering applications.