Influence of reinforcement design on seismic stability of full-height panel MSE walls. Issue 165 (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Peng; Zhong, Yi; Hatami, Kianoosh; Yang, Guangqing; Liu, Weichao; Jiang, Guanlu
• Is Part Of: Soil dynamics and earthquake engineering. Issue 165(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: MSE walls -- Seismic stability -- Finite element limit analysis -- Nonuniform reinforcement -- Failure mechanism -- Geosynthetics; Soil dynamics -- Periodicals; Earthquake engineering -- Periodicals; Sols -- Dynamique -- Périodiques; Génie parasismique -- Périodiques; 624.176205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soildyn.2022.107674
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-7261

Abstract

Abstract: A numerical study was carried out to investigate the seismic stability of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls using a finite element limit analysis (FELA) approach. The numerical method was validated using results from shaking table tests and limit equilibrium (LE) analysis. A series of parametric analyses was subsequently carried out to examine the influences of reinforcement design on seismic stability and failure mechanisms in full-height panel MSE walls. Results of the study indicate that, as opposed to the linear or bilinear failure mechanisms typically assumed in current design guidelines, more complex failure geometries could form in the backfills that involve extended reinforcement, which can be captured and analyzed using the FELA method employed in this study. The results also confirm the current consensus that placing longer reinforcement layers at the top of the wall (i.e. tapering-down arrangement) can help improve its seismic stability. However, in shorter walls or when high-strength reinforcement is used, a tapering-up reinforcement arrangement could also lead to increased seismic stability. Highlights: Seismic stability of MSE walls was investigated using a validated finite element limit analysis (FELA) approach. Influence of reinforcement design on seismic stability and failure mechanisms in full-height panel MSE walls was examined. Complex failure geometries in the backfills with extended reinforcement were captured and analyzed. Placement of longer reinforcement at the top of the wall can help improve its seismic stability. Longer reinforcement at the bottom of walls with high-strength reinforcement could lead to increased seismic stability. Longer reinforcement at the bottom of shorter walls could also lead to increased seismic stability.