Effect of Geotextile Configuration on the Structural Performance of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Retaining Walls

International Journal of Civil Engineering

© 2026 by SSRG - IJCE Journal

Volume 13 Issue 3

Year of Publication : 2026

Authors : Riza Suwondo, Andryan Suhendra, I Gede Mahardika Susila, Mohammed Altaee

10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I3P101

How to Cite?

Riza Suwondo, Andryan Suhendra, I Gede Mahardika Susila, Mohammed Altaee, "Effect of Geotextile Configuration on the Structural Performance of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Retaining Walls," SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 13,  no. 3, pp. 1-8, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I3P101

Abstract:

Mechanically Stabilised Earth (MSE) walls reinforced with geotextiles are popular in geotechnical engineering because of their constructability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. However, some geotextile characteristics, such as reinforcement length, layers, and tensile strength, remain to be addressed in design practices. This study explored these critical parameters and their effects on overall and internal stability through several comprehensive parametric analyses. One benchmark model with six geotextile layers, 5 m reinforcement length, and uniform vertical spacing was used to independently alter each parameter to evaluate sliding, overturning, bearing failure, rupture, and pullout. Lengthening the reinforcement from 3 to 5 m increased the global stability safety factor by approximately 15% and improved the pullout resistance by over 20%. Increasing the number of layers from 2 to 6 improved the rupture and pullout resistance by approximately 18%; however, the global stability changed slightly. The tensile strength variations (35–55 kN/m) affected only the rupture resistance, with no measurable impact on other failure modes. These results demonstrate that optimising the geotextile configuration based on site specific stability requirements can lead to more efficient performance-based MSE wall designs.

Keywords:

Geotextile-reinforced earth wall, Global stability, Internal stability, Mechanically Stabilised Earth (MSE) Wall, Parametric Analysis.

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