Effect of Rainfall on the Behavior of MSE Wall

Abstract

Since the collapse of MSE walls frequently occurs due to the rainfall, it is necessary to analyze the behavior of MSE wall depending on the characteristics of rainfall and the properties of permeability of backfill. In order to understand the behavior of MSE wall depending on the characteristics of rainfall and the properties of permeability of backfill, finite element analyses were performed on the typical MSE wall. With varying ratio of saturated permeability to rainfall intensity, porepressures, displacements and factor of safety were analyzed. As the ratio of the saturated permeability to rainfall intensity increases, the global factor of safety is found to increase. Based on the analyses, the use of permeability of backfill with 2.56×10-5 m/sec is desirable considering the characteristics of rainfall in Korea.