Effect of nail’s orientation and length on soil-nailed retaining structures’ stability

In the present paper, a numerical study of optimum soil-nailed layouts under different conditions is performed. Nailed slopes of three geometries under two surcharge scenarios are considered in terms of safety factor and the wall top displacement. Effects of different segments along the height of the slope on safety factor and the wall top displacement are evaluated. In vertical soil-nailed slopes, maximum safety factor is calculated at the nail orientation angles between 0° and 10°. In all soil-nailed slopes, after a specified nail length (reduction point), an increase in the nail’s length will not affect the wall top displacement. The upper one-third of the slope is found to have the largest effects on the wall top displacement, while the lower one-third of the slope has the most significant effect on the safety factor.