2018 Volume 74 Issue 1 Pages 118-129
Reinforced chain walls have two features that improve their seismic performance: (1) The chain has a larger pullout resistance than other reinforcing materials. (2) Combined resistance by friction of the chain and the end-bearing resistance of the anchor plate. While the pullout resistance of the chain-anchor plate assembly has been evaluated in previous studies, the seismic behavior of the reinforced chain wall as a whole is not well understood. In addition, due to the 2012 revision of the retaining wall guidelines, the theoretical design load acting on the reinforced earth walls during earthquakes has changed. In typical reinforced earth walls, seismic design is carried out with a reduced design seismic coefficient. In this study, dynamic centrifuge model tests of reinforced chain walls were conducted to evaluate the dynamic behavior and the applicability of the seismic design method. From the experimental results, it was confirmed that the reinforced chain wall has high earthquake resistance and can be designed using a reduced seismic design coefficient.
