Stability analyses for geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls under static loading conditions
(including segmental retaining wall systems) involve separate calculations to establish
factors of safety against external modes of failure and internal modes of failure
(Figure 2). External stability calculations consider the reinforced soil zone and the facing
column as a monolithic gravity structure. The evaluation of factors of safety against
base sliding, overturning about the toe, and foundation bearing capacity is analytically
identical to that used for conventional gravity structures. Internal stability analyses for
geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls are carried out to ensure that the structural integrity
of the geosynthetic-reinforced soil mass is preserved with respect to reinforcement
over-stressing and pullout of geosynthetic reinforcement layers from the anchorage
zone.