Abstract: As a new type of reinforced retaining structure, retaining wall constructed with geobags has been widely used in a variety of engineering fields, such as water conservancy, communication and construction, which contributes to complex and varied working conditions. The finite element software GTS is used to study the deformation behavior of retaining wall constructed with geobags under different conditions. The simulation results show that slope gradient, height-width ratio, and surface load have great effects on the deformation behavior. Slope gradient determines the shape of deformation and the location of turning point on deformation curve. When slope gradient decreases, the horizontal displacement at the top of retaining wall shrinks rapidly. Lower height-width ratio results in less deformation, and such effect of the decrease of height-width ratio intensifies when slope gradient gets larger. With the increase of surface load, flexural deformation intensifies and the turning point gradually moves upward within a certain range. In conclusion, the deformation shape of retaining wall is determined by slope gradient, while deformation amount is affected by height-width ratio and surface load.

Key words: retaining wall constructed with geobags, deformation behavior, FEM, slope gradient, height-width ratio, surface load