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Parametric studies using finite element modeling for the evaluation of the performance of tiered MSE walls under seismic loading

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Abstract

Whenever a need arises to construct a high retaining wall, the construction of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall in a multi-tiered configuration is a viable approach than the construction of a single-tiered (rectangular wall). However, the behavior of multi-tiered MSE walls is complex, and unfortunately, the behavior of such walls under seismic loading has not yet been entirely investigated. Therefore, this study performs an exhaustive comparative analysis, on multi-tiered and rectangular MSE walls through a finite element method-based numerical computational tool to look into its performance under seismic loading and their potential failure envelope, i.e., wedge angle. Additionally, this study investigates the influence of the parameters such as the number of tiers, offset distance (D), and horizontal seismic acceleration coefficient (kh) on the walls. The potential failure envelopes of the various wall models are explored, which indicate a combination of overturning and sliding failure accompanied by a distortion of the leveling pad of the walls. However, the sliding behavior reduces as the kh increases and the overturning failure is more prominent. This study proposes a wedge angle correction factor (CΘ) to normalize the deviation of the angle of the potential failure plane under seismic loading, based on the assumption that the standard value of the potential failure plane defined by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is valid for all multi-tiered walls since none of the design manuals have suggested clear guidelines that can demonstrate the formation and progression of the wedge angle under seismic loading conditions for multi-tiered walls. The factor of safety (FOS) of the various wall models simulated in the present study satisfies the FHWA guidelines, thus suggesting the construction of tiered walls, at places where huge excavation required for the construction of a rectangular wall is impractical. In the numerical simulations, where the FOS obtained is unsatisfactory as per FHWA guidelines, the current study suggests increasing the length of reinforcement and/or decreasing the vertical spacing between the reinforcing layers to enhance the overall stability of such walls.

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Abbreviations

L :

Length of the reinforcement layer (m)

FOS:

Factor of safety

D :

Offset distance between the two consecutive tiers of the tiered wall system (m)

H 1 :

Height of the lowermost wall (m)

H 2 :

Height of the middle wall (m)

H 3 :

Height of the topmost wall (m)

v :

Vertical spacing between the two reinforcing layers (m)

ϕ :

Angle of internal friction of soil (degrees)

β :

Critical wedge angle

β*:

Critical wedge angle suggested by FHWA

k h :

Horizontal seismic acceleration coefficient

R int :

Interface coefficient

C Θ :

Wedge angle correction factor

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Acknowledgements

The first author acknowledges the support received from Mr. Sagar Jaiswal, PG Student, Civil Engineering Department, MMMUT Gorakhpur, UP, India, for the technical support for the finite element simulations using Optum G2.

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  1. Civil Engineering Department, Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, 273010, India

    Ananya Srivastava & Vinay Bhushan Chauhan

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  1. Ananya Srivastava
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Correspondence to Vinay Bhushan Chauhan.

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Srivastava, A., Chauhan, V.B. Parametric studies using finite element modeling for the evaluation of the performance of tiered MSE walls under seismic loading. Innov. Infrastruct. Solut. 6, 159 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-021-00537-6

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