Seismic behaviour of a large-scale concrete-block retaining wall

Abstract

In this study, an inclined model experiment and finite element analyses were conducted to evaluate the failure mode and seismic response of a dry-type large-scale concrete-block retaining wall (LCBW). In the experiment, the objective was to reproduce the sliding between concrete blocks that was observed in past cases LCBW damage in order to characterise the behaviour until failure. A numerical simulation corresponding to the experimental conditions was conducted by the finite element method (FEM). Dynamic analyses were also performed by FEM to investigate the seismic response of the concrete blocks under various ground conditions. The experimental results revealed that slip between the concrete blocks caused brittle failure of the LCBW. In the FEM simulation, the joint elements reproduced the experimentally observed sliding between the concrete blocks. A dynamic simulation of the full-scale model revealed that significant sliding and rocking of the concrete block occur in a dry-type LCBW. These findings indicate that stress concentration may occur at the heels of the concrete blocks during an earthquake.