Analysis of Retaining Wall Subjected to Earthquake Loading

A numerical method through finite element(FEM) with two models: Elastic &Equivalent Linear was used to investigate the seismic behavior of retaining wall supporting saturated, liquefiable, cohesionless backfill soil. Horizontal/Vertical displacement, pore water pressure, horizontal total stress in the soil at the face of the wall, and Max. shear stress in the soil at the base were measured. It was shown that the Equivalent model gives more reasonable results and the liquefaction zones concentrated in the passive side more than the active side. Max. horizontal displacement at the top of the wall reaches 0.67m while vertical displacement increased in the range(66-116)% with the wall increasing in dimensions. Both pore water pressure/horizontal total stress increased with time/dimensions in the range(37%),(200%) respectively.