Parametric Studies on the Behavior of Reinforced Soil Retaining Walls under Earthquake Loading

TLDR: In this article, a validated finite element procedure was used for conducting a series of parametric studies on the behavior of reinforced soil walls under construction and subject to earthquake loading, and the performance of the wall was presented for the facing deformation and crest surface settlement, lateral earth pressure, tensile force in the reinforcement layers and acceleration amplification.

Abstract: The finite element procedures are extremely useful in gaining insights into the behavior of reinforced soil retaining walls. In this study, a validated finite element procedure was used for conducting a series of parametric studies on the behavior of reinforced soil walls under construction and subject to earthquake loading. The procedure utilized a nonlinear numerical algorithms that incorporated a generalized plasticity soil model and a bounding surface geosynthetic model. The reinforcement layouts, soil properties under monotonic and cyclic loadings, block interaction properties, and earthquake motions were among major variables of investigation. The performance of the wall was presented for the facing deformation and crest surface settlement, lateral earth pressure, tensile force in the reinforcement layers, and acceleration amplification. The effects of soil properties, earthquake motions, and reinforcement layouts are issues of major design concern under earthquake loading. The deformation, reinforcement force, and earth pressure increased drastically under earthquake loading compared to end of construction.