Yield design of dry‐stone masonry retaining structures—Comparisons with analytical, numerical, and experimental data

Abstract

SUMMARYOver the past few years, there has been a steady increase in the interest in dry-stone walling not only to preserve existing constructions but also to build new ones. Yet, dry masonry's expansion is slowed down by the lack of scientific knowledge to assess its reliability. This study aims at contributing to the construction of this scientific frame using a simplified model based on yield design and homogenization, which can be directly exploited for engineering purposes. A new analytical expression of the ultimate load is thus established. Then, the validity of the method is assessed by comparisons with limit equilibrium analysis, distinct element method, and field trials. Finally, possible improvements of the model are discussed.

Full-scale field trials to assess dry-stone retaining wall stability

“…These tests aim at completing our experimental data base and at confirming or infirming our first results. Furthermore, recent experimental data [3,12] are available to validate analytical and numerical simulations in the framework of existing structure evaluation but, as for design of new structures, comparisons with theoretical models were only conducted on Burgoyne's experiments, with scarce information on the original block and soil mechanical properties [4,[6][7][8][9]. Thus, considering the laboratory tests conducted on the constituent materials as well as the simplicity of the experimental procedure, these experiments could be very useful to calibrate and validate design simulations as yield design or distinct element models.…”

“…This hypothesis was chosen because it enables simple and practical calculations on retaining structures. It is commonly used in soil mechanics and was validated on dry-stone structures by Colas et al [9]. Nevertheless, the limitations of this hypothesis led us to use eccentricity as an indicator.…”

“…Harkness et al [4] have applied this technique to model Burgoyne's field trials [5], and their study was later expanded on [6][7][8]. The authors recently developed a multi-scale approach based on yield design theory in order to assess dry-stone wall stability [9,10].…”

2D modelling of a dry joint masonry wall retaining a pulverulent backfill

“…Simulating dry-stone construction by a regular and periodic structure enables to take into account the heterogeneity of the structure while maintaining a pragmatic process. Indeed, this hypothesis can be justified with regard to the apparent regularity (linear bed joints, use of pins to prevent blocks from rotating) of well-built dry-stone masonry [8]. Full-scale experiments on earth-retaining walls are planned in order to validate the model, with the final objective to set up a criterion, which can be directly exploited for design and assessment of dry-stone walls.…”

“…It relies on a previous publication by the authors [8] dealing with the stability assessment of a dry-stone wall subjected to an external linear pressure on its back face (e.g. water or soil pressure), with the important difference that the backfill is now considered as a medium in interaction with the wall.…”