INFLUENCE OF INTERFACE REDUCTION FACTOR ON SOIL-NAIL INTERACTION IN FINITE ELEMENT MODELLING USING PLATE ELEMENTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/mjce.v38.26597Keywords:
Soil nailing, PLAXIS, Rinter, interface reduction factor, finite element anlaysisAbstract
Finite element modelling of soil-nailed systems requires appropriate representation of soil-nail interaction to ensure reliable assessment of stability and deformation behavior. In simplified modelling approaches, soil nails are commonly represented using plate elements with interface elements governed by the interface reduction factor (Rinter). However, the selection of Rinter remains largely empirical and may significantly influence analysis results. This study investigates the influence of Rinter using three-dimensional finite element modelling through a parametric study. System performance is evaluated in terms of axial load development, global stability, and horizontal deflection, with comparisons made against embedded beam modelling as benchmarks. The results indicate that Rinter has a significant effect on system behavior. Lower values result in insufficient axial load mobilization and conservative predictions, while higher values may lead to overestimation of interface bonding and system stiffness. Although plate-based modelling can reasonably reproduce global behavior, discrepancies remain in axial load prediction. Overall, Rinter ≈ 0.3 provides the most balanced representation. The study highlights the need for careful calibration of interface parameters and consideration of modelling assumptions, including nail spacing and stress-dependent interaction behavior, to ensure reliable numerical predictions.
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