101. Seismic displacement criterion for soil retaining walls based on soil strength mobilization
- Author
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Huang, C.-C., Wu, S.-H., and Wu, H.-J.
- Subjects
Soil mechanics -- Research ,Earthquake resistant design -- Evaluation ,Retaining walls -- Design and construction ,Retaining walls -- Mechanical properties ,Dynamic testing -- Methods ,Earth sciences ,Engineering and manufacturing industries ,Science and technology - Abstract
This paper presents a seismic displacement criterion for conventional soil retaining walls based on the observations of a series of shaking table tests and seismic displacement analysis using Newmark's sliding-block theory taking into account internal friction angle mobilization along the potential failure line in the backfill. A novel approach that relates the displacement of the wall and the mobilized friction angle along the shear band in the backfill is also proposed. A range of horizontal displacement-to-wall height ratios ([[delta].sub.3h]/H) between 2 and 5% representing a transitional state from moderate displacement to catastrophic damage were observed in the shaking table tests on two model retaining walls. This observation is supported by both Newmark's displacement analysis and a new approach that relates the movement of the wall to the mobilization of the friction angle along the shear band in the backfill. A permissible displacement of the wall as defined by the displacement-to-wall height ratio, namely, [[delta].sub.3h]/H, equal to 2% was found to be of practical significance in the sense that peak friction angle of the investigated sand is retained along the shear band in the backfill. It is also suggested that [[delta].sub.3h]/H=5% be used as a conservative indicator for the onset of catastrophic failure of the wall associated with fully softened soil strength along the shear band in cohesionless backfill. CE Database subject headings: Seismic effects; Displacement; Retaining walls; Soil structures; Soil stabilization.
- Published
- 2009