Analysis of Seismic Active Earth Pressure on Retaining Walls Based on Pseudo-dynamic Method

Abstract

To examine the seismic active pressure on retaining walls, the pseudo-dynamic method is adopted in deducing the formulas of seismic active earth pressure. The critical rupture angle is analytically solved on the basis of conventional sliding wedge limit equilibrium theory. The influencing factors considered for the formulas are seismic force, surcharge angle, the internal friction angle and cohesion of the backfill for retaining walls, the friction angle and cohesion between retaining walls and backfill, and the inclination of retaining walls. The effects of these factors on critical failure angle and seismic active earth pressure coefficient are analyzed. Results show that the critical rupture angle is less than that is calculated using the Mononobe-Okabe method, in which the soil amplification factor and cohesion of backfill are disregarded. The critical rupture angle decreases with increasing soil amplification factor. The seismic active earth pressure coefficient increases with rising seismic coefficient, inclination of retaining walls, or surcharge angle; this coefficient decreases with increasing internal friction angle of backfill or soil amplification factor. The seismic active earth pressure coefficient also decreases and then increases as the friction angle between retaining walls and backfill increases.