Analysis of retaining wall with constrained backfill for sliding mode of wall movement

Abstract

Retaining wall built in front of a stable rock face or an existing wall retains limited width of backfill. Conventional earth pressure theories are not applicable in analysis and design of such retaining structures. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of wall movement on the earth pressure acting on the retaining wall with narrow backfill width. The effect of sliding mode of wall movement on lateral earth pressure for different backfill widths using finite element analysis is presented. After the proximate validation of model with existing centrifuge test, the analysis yields that lateral earth pressure acting on the wall is remarkably reduced with reduction in aspect ratio of backfill width. The rationale for reduction is observed to be objection of failure plane because of constraint. The present study definitively answers questions regarding effect of containment of backfill in the context of sliding mode of wall movement.