Advanced retaining wall using reinforced soil block and rubber backfill incorporated IoT monitoring system

The critical challenge in geotechnical engineering related to the construction of a retaining wall is the poor properties of native soil, which often consist of weak materials unsuitable for structural support. Consequently, the cost of importing high-quality backfill materials is frequently required. This study investigates an innovative retaining wall system developed using kenaf fiber-reinforced soil blocks and rubber-soil backfill material integrated with an Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring system. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the properties of kenaf fiber-reinforced soil blocks and soil-rubber backfill, and to assess retaining wall stability by incorporating a real-time environmental monitoring system. The methodology was divided into two phases; Phase 1 involved laboratory evaluation of the mechanical properties of the fiber-reinforced soil block and soil-rubber backfill, while Phase 2 focused on monitoring environmental parameters using an IoT-based Arduino system. The results showed that the kenaf fiber-reinforced soil blocks at a 0.75% concentration achieved a compressive strength of 0.96 N/mm² and a flexural strength of 0.75 N/mm², demonstrating significant improvements in load-bearing capacity and resistance to environmental degradation. Furthermore, incorporating rubber waste materials from discarded tires as backfill at optimal concentrations of 20% to 30% enhanced the flexibility, stress distribution, and hydrostatic pressure and drainage performance, as indicated by its laboratory-scale results. The IoT monitoring system enables early detection of slope conditions susceptible to landslides and soil saturation, thereby enhancing early warning capabilities. Overall, the proposed retaining wall system shows strong potential for application in infrastructure projects, particularly in areas requiring improved drainage and sustainability.

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