MSE Wall Geogrid Reinforcement Calculator
Retaining structures & geosynthetics: Design Mechanically Stabilized Earth ($MSE$) walls, geogrid layer tensile loads ($T_{max}$), pullout resistance, and AASHTO embedment lengths.
Wall Height & Surcharge
Exposed facing height
AASHTO traffic live load (~12 kPa / 2 ft soil)
Reinforced Fill Properties
Granular select backfill (min 34° per AASHTO)
Compacted dry unit weight
Geogrid Spacing & Interaction
Typically 0.4 m to 0.8 m
AASHTO minimum = 0.70
AASHTO / FHWA MSE Mechanics
Horizontal stress at depth $z$: $\sigma_h = K_r (\gamma z + q)$ where $K_r = K_a = \tan^2(45^\circ - \phi/2)$ for extensible geogrids.
Maximum geogrid tension: $T_{\text{max}} = \sigma_h \cdot S_v$.
Pullout resistance: $P_r = 2 \cdot F^* \cdot \alpha \cdot \sigma_v \cdot L_e \cdot C$.
Geogrid Reinforcement Demands
Max Geogrid Tension T_max
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Reinforcement Length L
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External Stability Factors of Safety
Sliding Factor of Safety
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AASHTO Min ≥ 1.50
Overturning / Eccentricity e
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e must be ≤ L/6 = Middle third
Internal Design Summary
Rankine Ka Coefficient:
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Number of Geogrid Layers:
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Lowest Layer Pullout FS:
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AASHTO Compliance:
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