Pseudo-dynamic evaluation of passive response on the back of a retaining wall supporting c-Φ backfill

Abstract

The study presents a rational analytical approach to obtain the seismic passive response of an inclined retaining wall backfilled with horizontal c-Φ soil. Pseudo-dynamic analysis is carried out to obtain the seismic passive response. Here in this analysis, the critical wedge angle is a single one irrespective of weight, surcharge and cohesion and this fact satisfies the field situation in a more realistic manner. A planer failure surface is considered in the analysis. The effect of soil and wall friction angle, wall inclination, horizontal and vertical earthquake acceleration on the passive resistance and the variation of passive earth pressure along the height of the wall have been explored. A comparison to pseudo-static and other available methods have been made to highlight the non-linearity of seismic passive earth pressure distribution.

Keywords:

• passive
• pseudo-dynamic
• c-Φ
• soil
• earth pressure
• cohesion
• adhesion
• single wedge