SEISMIC RESPONSE ANALYSIS OF HUNCHBACKED RETAINING WALLS

Abstract

Retaining walls are widely implemented civil engineering structures designed and constructed to resist the lateral thrust imparted by the backfill soil. The proper design of earth retaining structures needs to encompass accurate assessment of lateral thrust, which is linked with various parameters such as type of backfill geo-materials as well as geometry of the wall. Recent studies have emphasized on delineating novel geometries of earth retaining structures capable of inherent deduction of lateral earth thrust and aid in obtaining higher stability under complicated loading conditions. One of the most complex loading conditions is the seismic loading condition, which needs to be accounted at the design stage of retaining walls. Under the implications of seismicity, retaining walls are subjected to elevated thrust as compared to the lateral thrust experienced under static loading conditions. The exploration of novel geometries of earth retaining structures does not encompass the stability aspect only, but also aid in obtaining reduced cross-sectional area and consequently, turns out to be economical.