The behaviour of four drystone masonry retaining walls of different geometry has been modelled numerically using the discrete element code UDEC, and the results have been compared with the ®eld trials carried out by Burgoyne in Ireland in 1834. By using appropriate soil and wall mass densities, strengths and stiffnesses, it was possible to reproduce in the numerical analyses the ®eld behaviour observed by Burgoyne. Reasonably close agreement was obtained between the horizontal components of earth pressures calculated in the numerical analyses and using the earth pressure coef®cients given by Caquot and Kerisel. Basal stress distributions calculated using the condition of equilibrium of the wall were also broadly consistent with those resulting from the numerical analyses. The results also con®rm both the in¯uence of the geometry of a drystone masonry retaining wall on its performance and ultimate stability, and the soundness of Burgoyne's engineering judgement in specifying his programme of ®eld tests.
Bridges, earth-retaining walls and buried structures make up a substantial proportion of the fixed assets of the land-based transportation infrastructure within Europe. Little work has been done on the development of documents covering the assessment of highway structures compared to the design of new structures. This paper describes an approach to assessment developed through working groups 4 and 5 of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (Cost) Action 345, entitled procedures required for assessing highway structures. This action was supported by the European Commission and involved experts from 16 European countries. The ICE trust fund has supported a study of a road bridge in Vienna to demonstrate the applicability and potential benefits of the approach developed through Cost 345. The approach is similar to that used in the UK in that there are five levels of assessment of increasing complexity and reliability, but there are a number of differences. This paper describes the approach developed through Cost 345 with a view to opening the debate on the need for a code of practice for assessment that facilitates the use of site-specific loading.
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