Abstract
In an urban environment, it is often necessary to locate structures close to existing retaining walls due to congestion in space. When such structures are in seismically active zones, the dynamic loading attracted by the retaining wall can increase. In a novel approach taken in this paper, finite element-based numerical analyses are presented for the case of a flexible, cantilever sheet pile wall with and without a structure on the backfill side. This enables a direct comparison of the influence exerted by the structure on the dynamic behaviour of the retaining wall. In this paper, the initial static bending moments and horizontal stresses prior to application of any earthquake loading are compared to Coulomb’s theory. The dynamic behaviour of the retaining wall is compared in terms of wall-top accelerations and bending moments for different earthquake loadings. The dynamic structural rotation induced by the differential settlements of the foundations is presented. The accelerations generated in the soil body are considered in three zones, i.e., the free field, the active and the passive zones. The differences caused by the presence of the structure are highlighted. Finally, the distribution of horizontal soil pressures generated by the earthquake loading behind the wall, and in front of the wall is compared to the traditional Mononobe-Okabe type analytical solutions.
Highlights
The increasing population in large cities and towns around the world place a high demand on available land
Retaining walls are often used to create the necessary difference in ground levels with backfills placed behind the retaining walls or excavations carried out in front of them
In the former case, new buildings could be constructed close to the retaining wall, while, in the latter case, where existing buildings are present behind the wall, the retaining walls have to protect from any damage due to ground movement
Summary
The increasing population in large cities and towns around the world place a high demand on available land. Retaining walls are often used to create the necessary difference in ground levels with backfills placed behind the retaining walls or excavations carried out in front of them In the former case, new buildings could be constructed close to the retaining wall, while, in the latter case, where existing buildings are present behind the wall, the retaining walls have to protect from any damage due to ground movement. Yeganeh et al [13] carried out numerical analyses of a high-rise building behind an anchored wall, observing more damage in the model where the real building was Geosciences 2020, 10, 486. Structural Element structural columns slab strip footing (left) strip footing (right) retaining wall
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