Deformation, resistance characteristics, and scale effects of rockfall protection soil embankments under static loading

Rockfall protection soil embankments are structures that can effectively reduce rockfall hazards along roads. They are economical and easy to construct and maintain by using locally available soil. However, a performance design method for rockfall protection soil embankments has not yet been established, and is the goal of this study. In the present study, static loading tests were conducted using two different weight shapes to clarify the influence of the weight shape on the deformation behavior of soil embankments. Based on these tests, the punching shear failure mechanism of the soil embankments was investigated. The influence of the model scale (the scale effect) on the deformation failure behavior of the soil embankments was clarified through static loading tests on reduced models at three different scales. From these model experiments, the surface deformation, internal deformation, and load–penetration relationships of the soil embankments were summarized. The results indicated that the spherical weight damaged a wider area than the polyhedral weight, and the maximum and ultimate loads exhibited a constant relationship with the deformation of the soil embankment extension between the model scales.