Internal failure mechanisms occurring in geosynthetic-reinforced retaining walls and geosynthetic-anchored sheet pile walls were investigated with small-scale model tests. The test results indicate that a vertical strip load applied near the wall generates a straight slip surface. This is similar to the failure surface observed in non-reinforced slopes under comparable loading conditions. However, the differential deformation of the soil at the intersection between the slip surface and the geosynthetic reinforcement induces tensile forces in the geosynthetic. These forces enhance the stability of the reinforced or anchored structure. Tests on geosynthetic-anchored sheet pile walls demonstrate the feasibility of such structures and show that even relatively short geosynthetic anchors substantially contribute to the bearing capacity of the structure under vertical loads.
