Large-Scale Model Analysis on Bearing Characteristics of Geocell-Reinforced Earth Retaining Wall Under Cyclic Dynamic Load

Abstract

In order to study the bearing mechanism of the geocell-reinforced earth retaining wall under the traffic load, the large-scale model test under dynamic load was designed. The laws of earth pressure distribution and acceleration response were also analyzed. The results showed that the vertical soil pressure at the same height under dynamic loading was the largest at 0.39H from the panel (i.e., vibration source). Moreover, the earth pressure near the panel was the second, and the earth pressure far away from the panel was the smallest. According to the stress diffusion rate in the soil calculated by corner method, the addition of geocells in the soil can enhance the diffusion rate of soil stress. In the early stage of loading, the stress diffusion rate under the same loading was significantly improved with the increase of frequency. The acceleration response at the same horizontal position decreased from the top of the retaining wall to the bottom of the retaining wall, and the acceleration response decreased with the increase of dynamic load. The horizontal acceleration response at the same distance from the vibration source was obviously larger than the vertical direction.