A method for constructing a mechanically stabilized earthen embankment has the steps of first constructing a wall facing element. A plurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements are attached to the wall facing element. A middle portion of each of the elongate soil reinforcement elements has a plurality of semi-extensible bent segments. Fill soil is added to build the earthen embankment over the reinforcement elements. Movement of the fill soil may create sufficient force to straighten some of the plurality of semi-extensible bent segments, allowing the earthen embankment to move to an active condition thereby reducing the stress on the soil reinforcement elements.