• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.339-347
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• 2002

An in-situ experiment was performed to evaluate the pullout resistance capacity of chains which is used as a reinforcement of reinforced earth wall. It was also considered that chain was combined with a bar or L-type steel angle by the transverse reinforcement member in the experiment. About 80 pullout tests were peformed with varying the lengths of chain(2.0m, 2.5m, and 3.0m), the combination of each transverse members(chain only, chain＋bar, or chain＋angle), and the vertical placement of reinforcements. In the case that uses a chain only and a chain combined with bar, the maximum displacement was about 150mm and load continuously increased to the ultimate tensile strength of chain, and then tension failure of chains occurred. But in the case of a chain combined with angle, the displacement decreased to about 100mm and so it was expected that this combination can constrain the displacement of chain. On the other hand, comparing the yielding pullout load measured in the field to that calculated by theoretical equation, it is shown that measured values are 1.2~3.0 times greater than those of calculated values according to the length of chain, normal vertical stress, and the combination of chain with transverse members. However, the difference in the increment of yielding pullout load between bar and angle is not clear but it appears almost the same increment. It is expected that chain can be safely used as reinforcements of reinforced earth wall, although a theoretical estimation of the pullout resistance capability of chain is too conservative.