The reinforced soil is a composite material formed by the addition to a non cohesive soil of steel strip reinforcement which is able to withstand important tension forces. Through friction between the soil and the reinforcement, the ground transmits the tension forces, which develop into the mass that cannot be supported, to the steel reinforcement. The stretched reinforcements thus confer to the ground some cohesion along their direction. Therefore providing reinforcements, improves the global mechanical properties of the ground. To oppose lateral expansion of the soil (reinforced ground of artificial filling materials, nailed ground of excavation and slopes) or its movement (blasted columns or micro-piers), the friction “soil-reinforcement” confers to the reinforced ground material an anisotropic cohesion. In a similar manner as with the reinforced and priestesses concrete, the bond between the soil and the reinforcement is an important phenomenon. An interaction analysis involves, separately, the behaviour of two present materials. From such analysis, and contrary to the previous one, appears the real composite behaviour of reinforced soils.             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key words: Homogenisation, interfaces, shearing, finite elements, tension, cohesion, friction.