Abstract
Inverted T-type retaining walls are commonly used in subgrade or slope support engineering, which inevitably satisfies a narrow backfill. Using the classical earth pressure calculation method in a narrow-backfill case causes an inevitable error. The current narrow-backfill earth pressure theory does not apply to inverted T-type retaining walls. In this study, the failure mechanism in a narrow backfill when the inverted T-type retaining wall rotates about the heel is investigated using adaptive finite element analysis method. Numerical analysis reveals multiple sliding surfaces. A theoretical model for calculating earth pressure using difference and limit equilibrium methods is proposed. The proposed model is suitable for more complex conditions, including narrow backfill, irregular ground, and non-uniform overload, than previous models. Parameter analysis reveals that the cross-sectional area of the plastic zone and active earth pressure have a positive correlation. Further, the interface friction influences the decrease in active earth pressure. Fitting formulas for assessing the cases of long and short heel and the critical size of backfill width are presented to facilitate practitioners to evaluate the backfill.
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Abbreviations
- B :
-
Width of bottom of backfill (m)
- b 1 :
-
Length of heel (m)
- b 2 :
-
Thickness of wall stem (m)
- b 3 :
-
Length of toe (m)
- c f :
-
Cohesion of foundation (GPa)
- E 1 :
-
Resultant earth pressure acting on wall stem (kN/m)
- E 2 :
-
Resultant earth pressure acting on imaginary wall (kN/m)
- E 3 :
-
Resultant earth pressure acting on heel (kN/m)
- Earm :
-
Arm length from total earth pressure resultant to the bottom of the heel (m)
- E f :
-
Young’s modulus of foundation (MPa)
- E res :
-
Total resultant earth pressure (kN/m)
- E s :
-
Young’s modulus of backfill (MPa)
- E zk :
-
Resultant active earth pressure corresponding to the filling depth of each difference step (kN/m)
- H :
-
Total height of wall (m)
- H 1 :
-
Height of wall stem (m)
- H 2 :
-
Thickness of bottom plate (m)
- K 0 :
-
Coefficient of earth pressure at rest
- l 1 :
-
First sliding surface
- l 2 :
-
Second sliding surface
- M :
-
Moment of total earth pressure (kN·m/m)
- m :
-
Relative height of wall stem (m)
- M zk :
-
Combined moment of active earth pressure corresponding to filling depth in each difference step (kN·m/m)
- n :
-
Relative length of heel (m)
- q :
-
Ground overload (kN/m)
- R :
-
Reaction between subwedges (kN/m)
- S h :
-
The horizontal component of the total resultant earth pressure (kN/m)
- S r :
-
Reaction on rock interface (kN/m)
- z :
-
Depth of the calculation point from the top elevation of the wall (m)
- z E :
-
Height of total earth pressure resultant acting on the wall stem (m)
- α 1 :
-
First sliding surface inclination (°)
- α 2 :
-
Second sliding surface inclination (°)
- α E :
-
Inclination of total earth pressure resultant (°)
- β :
-
Ground inclination
- γ :
-
Unit weight of backfill (kN/m3)
- γ f :
-
Unit weight of foundation (kN/m3)
- Δz :
-
Differential step size (m)
- δ L :
-
Friction of soil—wall interface (°)
- δ r :
-
Friction of soil—rock interface (°)
- ε :
-
Inclination of the rocky—slope interface (°)
- υ :
-
Poisson’s ratio of backfill
- υ f :
-
Poisson’s ratio of foundation
- σ Ls :
-
Normal stress on imaginary wall (kPa)
- σ Lw :
-
Normal stress on wall stem (kPa)
- φ :
-
Internal friction of backfill (°)
- φ f :
-
Internal friction of foundation (°)
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Zhang, YB., Chen, FQ., Lin, YJ. et al. Active Earth Pressure of Narrow Backfill against Inverted T-Type Retaining Walls Rotating about the Heel. KSCE J Civ Eng 26, 1723–1739 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-022-1294-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-022-1294-8