Laboratory model tests and numerical analysis on seismic stability of a reinforced soil retaining wall

Abstract

We developed a new reinforced soil retaining wall system having a vertical layer which absorbs the deformation between facing material (concrete block) and reinforced fill, which is called ‘double wall structure’. This paper investigates the stability of the system during earthquake. Shaking table tests for 1/10 size model of the system, shows that the facing material and reinforced fill behave in one united body. The test result is simulated fairly well, by a numerical analysis based on Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion, a simple plastic flow rule and Newmark β method.