Abstract
An in situ full-scale test is conducted to measure the dynamic response of a long cantilever wall that retains backfill soil. The recorded modal parameters of this retaining wall exhibited significant similarity to those of a clamped cantilever plate (rather than those of a cantilever beam or plane-strain analysis). Such a three-dimensional (3-D) response pattern is not accounted for by current analysis procedures. A simple 3-D finite element model is employed to further analyze the observed resonant configurations. The results indicate that such configurations play an important role in the seismic response of wall backfill soil systems of variable height, such as wing walls supporting highway approach ramps.
Highlights
Retaining walls are built for the purpose of supporting an adjacent soil mass or backfill
Very few full-scale tests have been performed on retaining wall soil systems (Aliev et al, 1973; Amano et al, 1956; Chang et al, 1990; Fukuoka and Imamura, 1984)
At the beginning of testing, reciprocity was verified by comparing frequency response functions (FRF) obtained through interchanging input and output locations
Summary
Retaining walls are built for the purpose of supporting an adjacent soil mass or backfill. A large and growing body of full-scale dynamic tests on civil engineering structures has been reported in the literature (Alampalli et al, 1995; Calciati et al, 1977; Douglas and Reid, 1982; Keightley, 1966; Paskalov et al, 1977). During a pilot full-scale test on a retaining wall system (Alampalli, 1990; Elgamal et al, 1990), it was found that. Modes were found to bear significant similarity to those of a clamped cantilever plate rather than those of a cantilever beam (planestrain analysis). Such a 3-D response pattern was further analyzed during a more recent forced vibration frequency sweep test (Elgamal et aI., 1996). The recorded dynamic response is analyzed within a simple analytical and numerical framework to investigate the observed 3-D response mechanisms
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
