Temperature Affects on the Connection Strength of MSE Walls

The affect of elevated temperatures (i.e., > 23°C) on the connection strength between a concrete wall face and geosynthetic reinforcement is investigated. This investigation includes the review of two field monitoring programs, one in the southeastern United States and one in the desert environment of the southwestern United States. These field monitoring programs measured both the ambient and in situ temperatures at the wall face and within the reinforced soil mass. In addition, the results of a laboratory investigation into the affects of elevated temperatures (38°C) on the connection strength between the wall face and geosynthetic reinforcement are presented.