Research on anti-seismic reinforcement method of existing residential dry masonry retaining wall by centrifuge tilting test and 3D DEM

Abstract

In Japan, there has been an increase in the failure of dry masonry retaining walls due to strong earthquakes especially in urban residential areas. Currently, there are no established optimal seismic reinforcement methods for such retaining walls due to issues related to workability and construction cost. This study proposes a novel reinforcement method where tilting reinforcement bars were installed and integrated from the top of the retaining wall. The reinforcement mechanism was attempted to be investigated by conducting DEM analysis of previous centrifuge tilting experiments that were conducted to examine the seismic resistance of such reinforcement method. Results indicate that DEM can be used to successfully reproduce the centrifuge experiment in terms of the horizontal displacement of the retaining wall and the behavior of the mobilized earth pressure. It was also found that the stiffness of the reinforced retaining wall increased due to the downward vertical compressive force on the bottom retaining wall block in response to the axial force in the tensile direction of the reinforcement.