Seismic Analysis of Segmental Retaining Walls. I: Model Verification

Abstract

Block-faced geosynthetic reinforced soil retaining walls, referred to as “segmental” retaining walls, have been extensively used in recent years as permanent civil engineering structures. The disjointed concrete facing blocks are held together through interface friction and concrete keys or mechanical connectors. Because of the disjointed nature of the facing blocks, the design of the segmental wall must consider the available shear resistance between these blocks. Connection capacity must also be considered. Of concern also is the permanent deformation of the segmental wall face following an earthquake. This paper describes a finite-element analysis of a model segmental wall subjected to earthquakelike loading generated by a shake table. The finite-element analysis used the computer program DYNA3D. Results from DYNA3D, using a simple model—Ramberg-Osgood model—to simulate the nonlinear hysteretic behavior of soil, are consistent with observed results from laboratory shake table tests on segmental walls.