Abstract
A finite element model capable of taking into account nonlinear hysteretic soil behavior is presented to study earthquake induced retaining wall movement. The model also accounts for increase in lateral stresses and settlement associated with grain slip caused by cyclic loads. The predictive capability of the proposed method is verified by comparing responses given by the model with those computed by another existing finite element model and also with responses recorded at the Cambridge centrifuge facility. The study reveals that the wall displacement can be substantially affected, among other factors, by the increase in lateral stresses due to grain slip and wall-soil friction. Care should be taken when selecting a constant value of wall-soil friction angle for the entire duration of excitation since structural changes can occur in the soil adjacent to the wall.
