Abstract

The paper presents design rules of geosynthetic reinforcements based on the regulation of EC 7 with the adaptation to the Polish conditions are presented. Especially, the recommendations given in the Instruction 429/2007 published by ITB (ITB – Building Research Institute in Warsaw) concerning the estimation of the characteristic and design values of long term tensile strength of geosynthetics were taken into account. The rules presented in the paper enable a design of reinforced earth structures taking into account both the ultimate limit state and the serviceability limit state. The author emphasizes, that information concerning the codes of practice used in static calculations should be given in the project documents and in the specifications attached to tenders. In addition to the design value of long term strength the characteristic value of tensile strength corresponding to the allowable elongation and the value of bond coefficient between reinforcement and soil should be defined in the specifications. The choice of the suitable product should be performed carefully, based on proven test reports, where all values of reduction factors and the value of the allowable load ratio are well documented.