Sensitivity Analysis of a Sheet-Pile Wall Retaining a Liquefiable Backfill using the strain space multiple mechanism model

Abstract

The primary objective of this research study is to conduct a comprehensive sensitivity analysis that evaluates two critical aspects: the impact of joint element parameter settings in the self-weight analysis stage to the dynamic analysis and the influence of variations in the Rayleigh damping ratio during the dynamic analysis stage. This investigation extends previous research to identify the causes of instability observed in the LEAP 2022 prediction B data. While prior studies have addressed calibration issues, this paper focuses on the role of initial boundary condition settings and the Rayleigh damping ratio. Two critical sensitivity analyses were carried out in this study. The first analysis focused on joint element parameters from those utilized in the 2022 LEAP project and modified. By systematically altering these parameters, the study aimed to understand their impact on three key performance indicators: the displacement of sheet piles, excess pore water pressure, and acceleration response. The second sensitivity analysis was centered on the Rayleigh damping ratio during the dynamic analysis stage. This analysis was unique in that it adjusted the Rayleigh damping ratio to scrutinize its influence on the displacement of sheet piles with various calibration sets. The various calibration sets were employed to ensure the robustness of the findings. The finite element numerical analysis program FLIP was used to perform these sensitivity analyses. The results generated from FLIP, using multiple calibration sets, provided valuable insights into the response of the system under different initial conditions and parameter settings. The study underscored that even minor alterations in initial boundary conditions can significantly impact the accuracy and stability of dynamic analysis outcomes. This study provides valuable insights while discussing limitations that can be improved through further research and suggests areas for future study. The study aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of dynamic analysis in numerical simulations, contributing to earthquake engineering and geotechnical investigations in a similar vein with the objectives of the LEAP project by providing a comprehensive understanding of factors affecting stability and accuracy.