Trapdoor tests for the evaluation of earth pressure on a buried structure in an embankment

Abstract

Earth pressures acting on underground structures are highly dependent on the interaction between ground and structure. Increase in the vertical earth pressures acting on a buried structure in high embankment should be, therefore, considered, depending on the size and depth of structure and type of foundation, since differential settlements are often expected in such conditions However, in practice, the increment of vertical earth pressures on underground structures is estimated in the empirical manner, mainly based on the information of past earth pressure measurements in the limited number of sites. In such estimation, the degree of settlement and/or mechanical properties of backfill materials are not always taken into account. A trap door test apparatus is newly developed in this research, in order to evaluate distribution of earth pressures acting on a buried structure. Detailed measurements were conducted and earth pressure change was estimated in relatively simple calculation.[This abstract is not included in the PDF]