The need for standard safety factors in the determination of allowable tensile loads
Abstract
There is a lot of confusion regarding the way influential national Codes apply the concept of safety to the basic types of earth reinforcing materials. This results in quite different degrees of safety for geosynthetics and steel, which is not rational. The problem is first a question of common vocabulary and proper definitions. Then it is an issue of the fundamental safety factors which should not depend on the type of reinforcing material. This paper identifies the present anomalies and outlines a standard and consistent approach.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Stabilization
Geotechnical Engineering and Analysis
Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Mechanics
Publication details
- Journal / source
- CRC Press eBooks
- Pages
- 297–302
- Publication date
- 12 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter