Rigid Block Distinct-Element Modeling of Dry-Stone Retaining Walls in Plane Strain

Abstract

A simplified rigid block distinct-element numerical model is used to investigate the instability of dry-stone masonry retaining walls in plane strain. The investigation initially concentrates on modeling previously reported experimental data of wall behavior and thereafter assesses the influence of parametric variation on stability. Influence of masonry characteristics (wall joint shear stiffness, normal stiffness, tensile strength, and block geometry), backfill properties, and overall wall geometry are considered. Results from the experimental study and numerical model are compared with a limit equilibrium analysis.