Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Reinforced Soil Slopes With Vertical Rib and Inclined Reinforcement: Application to Embankment Slopes

Reinforced soil technology is widely applied in slope stabilization, yet the optimal configuration of reinforcement remains a key design challenge. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of vertical rib‐reinforced and inclined‐reinforced geogrid layouts through scaled physical model tests (1:10) and finite element simulations using MIDAS GTS. Results show that (1) vertical rib reinforcement improves ultimate bearing capacity by 24.6% and reduces settlement by 45.4%, outperforming ordinary horizontal reinforcement (18.1% capacity increase); (2) inclined reinforcement at a 5° angle further enhances performance, achieving a 31.8% increase in bearing capacity and a 57.8% reduction in settlement; (3) numerical simulations reproduce experimental trends with minor displacement underestimation, attributed to idealized soil–geogrid interfaces. This study provides the first integrated comparison of vertical rib and inclined reinforcement strategies, establishing a practical and effective design reference for reinforced soil slopes in loess regions.