Abstract: This paper presents a laboratory modeling program of reinforced soil retaining wall under complicated loading conditions. The optimized reinforcement and reinforcing spacing were investigated throughout testing. The facing of the retaining wall panel was simulated by white paper cardboards and the reinforcement straps were simulated by Kraft paper types. The backfill material in the mechanically stabilized earth wall system was clean sand. Three different reinforcement spacings were studied. The model test results indicate that the combination of primary and secondary reinforcements can effectively reduce the total reinforcement quantities with a satisfactory facing movement control. The use of secondary reinforcements can effectively share the loading carried by the primary reinforcements and also improve the degree of compaction neat the wall panel.

Key words: Mechanically Stabilized Earth Retaining Wall, Model Test, Secondary Reinforcements, Deformation