Miscellaneous PaperAbstract: This report documents finite element and stability analyses performed at the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station for the U.S. Army Engineer District, Galveston. These analyses aided in the design of a reinforced slope faced with concrete revetment blocks for the Sargent Beach Erosion Protection Project of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The finite element method was used to simulate the construction process and predict the behavior at different stages of the construction process. Excavation, filling, and placement of geosynthetic reinforcement were the construction processes modeled. The principle objectives of the study were to use the results of the analyses to gain insight toward evaluating whether or not the predicted behavior of the slope would meet the stability requirements of the project The direction and magnitude of foundation movements were estimated from the finite element calculations. The effect of reinforcement stiffness on the predicted performance of the slope was also evaluated and used by district designers in the selection of an appropriate reinforcing material.

Geotechnical Laboratory (U.S.)Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)

Erosion protection; Finite element method; Geosynthetic reinforcement; Slope stability; Revetments; Beach erosion; Shore protection; Sargent Beach; Texas

Miscellaneous paper (U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station) ; GL-97-4.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

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