Finite Element Analyses of Retaining Wall Behavior

TLDR

Laboratory tests show that interface behavior between backfill soil and retaining walls depends on normal and shear stresses. The study develops a finite element simulation method for realistic interface behavior between backfill soil and retaining walls. An analytical formulation is derived and implemented as a one‑dimensional interface element in two‑dimensional finite element models, and used to analyze typical wall‑backfill systems with varying wall behavior, roughness, and construction sequence. Earth‑pressure distributions before ultimate conditions are nonlinear, while ultimate conditions and overall system behavior agree with classical theory and prior observations.

Abstract

A means is developed for simulation of realistic behavior of the interface between a backfill soil and a retaining wall in finite element analyses. The interface behavior is shown from a series of laboratory tests to be dependent upon normal and shear stresses on the interface. An analytical formulation is derived to fit the observed relationships and utilized to govern the behavior of a one-dimensional element which serves as the interface between two dimensional soil and retaining wall elements in finite element analyses. Analyses are presented of a typical retaining wall-backfill system with varying modes of wall behavior and degrees of wall roughness. Earth presure distributions before the ultimate conditions are reached are shown to be nonlinear. Ultimate conditions and general behavior of the system are shown to be in agreement with classical theory and previously observed behavior. An additional analysis is presented in which the exact construction sequence of a retaining-wall backfill system is simulated.