Model Test and Numerical Analysis on Long-Term Mechanical Properties of Stepped Reinforced Retaining Wall

Model tests and numerical analyses of stepped reinforced retaining wall were performed to investigate the effects of rheology of backfill and creep of geogrids on the long-term performance of the structure.The geogrid tensions,soil pressures,wall deformations and foundation pressure were measured during model construction and loading.A visco-elasto-plastic model and an empirical nonlinear visco-elastic model were utilized to simulate the stresses and deformations of geogrid-reinforced earth-retaining wall under long-term loads.By comparing test data with numerical results,it is shown that the foundation pressure distribution is nonlinear,and the lateral constraint of geogrids for backfill can cause a redistribution of foundation pressure.The curve of soil pressure is outside convex at each step initially,and it is close to the distribution for the case of vertical wall subsequently.The variation trend of geogrid tensions at different heights is obtained.Moreover,the failure mechanism and development mode of potential slip surface in retaining wall are proposed.

Mechanical performance of a double-face reinforced retaining wall in an area disturbed by mining

The application of a double-face reinforced retaining wall during road construction can reduce engineering costs, speed road paving and have a good influence on environment. An ABAQUS numerical model of a double-face reinforced retaining wall was built. The influence of surface subsidence induced by mining was considered. A physical model test was also performed in the laboratory on a reinforced retaining wall. The influence of subsidence induced by mining was observed. The numerical results match measurements in the laboratory very well. The vertical pressure on the base of the retaining wall, the horizontal displacement of the wall and the horizontal soil pressure acting on the wall were analyzed. The differential settlement of the reinforced belt and axial forces in the wall were also studied.

Lateral earth pressure of granular backfills on retaining walls with expanded polystyrene geofoam inclusions under limited surcharge loading

Existing studies have focused on the behavior of the retaining wall equipped with expanded polystyrene(EPS)geofoam inclusions under semi-infinite surcharge loading rather than limited surcharge loading.In this paper,the failure mode and the earth pressure acting on the rigid retaining wall with EPS geofoam inclusions and granular backfills(henceforth referred to as EPS-wall),under limited surcharge loading are investigated through two-and three-dimensional model tests.The testing results show that different from the sliding of almost all the backfill in the EPS-wall under semi-infinite surcharge loading,only an approximately triangular backfill slides in the wall under limited surcharge loading.The distribution of the lateral earth pressure on the EPS-wall under limited surcharge loading is non-linear,and the distribution changes from the increase of the wall depth to the decrease with the increase of the limited surcharge loading.An approach based on the force equilibrium of a differential element is developed to predict the lateral earth pressure behind the EPS-wall subjected to limited surcharge loading,and its performance was fully validated by the three-dimensional model tests.

Protective effect of retaining wall on rock avalanche:A case study of Nayong rock avalanche in China

Rock avalanches are generally difficult to prevent and control due to their high velocities and the extensive destruction they cause.However,barrier structures constructed along the path of a rock avalanche can partially mitigate the magnitudes and consequences of such catastrophic events.We selected a rock avalanche in Nayong County,Guizhou Province,China as a case to study the effect of the location and height of a retaining wall on the dynamic characteristics of rock avalanche by using both actual terrain-based laboratory-model tests and coupled PFC3D-FLAC3D numerical simulations.Our findings demonstrate that a retaining wall can largely block a rock avalanche and its protective efficacy is significantly influenced by the integrity of the retaining wall.Coupled numerical simulation can serve as a powerful tool for analyzing the interaction between a rock avalanche and a retaining wall,facilitating precise observations of its deformation and destruction.The impact-curve characteristics of the retaining wall depend upon whether or not the rock avalanche-induced destruction is taken into account.The location of the retaining wall exerts a greater influence on the outcome compared to the height and materials of the retaining wall,while implementing a stepped retaining-wall pattern in accordance with the terrain demonstrates optimal efficacy in controlling rock avalanche.

Seismic responses of the steel-strip reinforced soil retaining wall with full-height rigid facing from shaking table test

To investigate the seismic response of the steel-strip reinforced soil retaining wall with fullheight rigid facing in terms of the acceleration in the backfill, dynamic earth pressure in the backfill, the displacements on the facing and the dynamic reinforcement strain distribution under different peak acceleration, a large 1-g shaking table test was performed on a reduced-scale reinforced-earth retaining wall model. It was observed that the acceleration response in non-strip region is greater than that in potential fracture region which is similar with the stability region under small earthquake,while the acceleration response in potential fracture region is greater than that in stability region in middle-upper of the wall under moderately strong earthquakes. The potential failure model of the rigid wall is rotating around the wall toe. It also was discovered that the Fourier spectra produced by the inputting white noises after seismic wave presents double peaks, rather than original single peak, and the frequency of the second peak trends to increase with increasing the PGA(peak ground amplitude) of the excitation which is greater than 0.4 g. Additionally,the non-liner distribution of strip strain along the strips was observed, and the distribution trend was not constant in different row. Soil pressure peak value in stability region is larger than that in potential fracture region. The wall was effective under 0.1 g-0.3 g seismic wave according to the analyses of the facing displacement and relative density. Also, it was discovered that the potential failure surface is corresponds to that in design code, but the area is larger. The results from the study can provide guidance for a more rational design of reinforced earth retaining walls with full-height rigid facing in the earthquake zone.

Field Measurements and Pullout Tests of Reinforced Earth Retaining Wall

In this paper, field measurements and pullout tests of a new type of reinforced earth retaining wall, which is reinforced by trapezoid concrete blocks connected by steel bar, are described. Field measurements included settlements of the earth fill, tensile forces in the ties and earth pressures on the facing panels during the construction and at completion. Based on the measurements, the following statements can be made: (1) the tensile forces in the ties increased with the height of backfill above the tie and there is a tensile force crest in most ties; (2) at completion, the measured earth pressures along the wall face were between the values of the active earth pressures and the pressures at rest; (3) larger settlements occurred near the face of the wall where a zone of drainage sand and gravel was not compacted properly and smaller settlements occurred in the well-compacted backfill. The results of field pullout tests indicated that the magnitudes of pullout resistances as well as tensile forces induced in the ties were strongly influenced by the relative displacements between the ties and the backfill, and pullout resistances increased with the height of backfill above the ties and the length of ties.

Centrifuge model tests on pile-reinforced slopes subjected to drawdown

Piles are generally an effective way to reduce the risk of slope failure.However,previous approaches for slope stability analysis did not consider the effect of the piles coupled with the decrease of the water level(drawdown).In this study,a series of centrifuge model tests was performed to understand the deformation and failure characteristics of slopes reinforced with various pile layouts.In the centrifuge model tests,the pile-reinforced slopes exhibited two typical failure modes under drawdown conditions:across-pile failure and through-pile failure.In the through-pile slope failure,a discontinuous slip surface was observed,implying that the assumption of the slip surface in previous stability analysis methods was unreasonable.The test results showed that drawdown led to instability of the piles in cohesive soil,as the saturated cohesive soil failed to provide sufficient constraint for piles.The slope exhibited progressive failure,from top to bottom,during drawdown.The deformation of the piles was reduced by increasing the embedment depth and row number of piles.In addition,the deformation of soils outside the piles was influenced by the piles and showed a similar distribution shape as the piles,and the similarity degree weakened as the distance from the piles increased.This study also found that the failure mechanism of unreinforced and pile-reinforced slopes induced by drawdown could be described by coupling between the deformation localization and local failure,and it revealed that pile-reinforced slopes could reduce slope deformation localization during drawdown.

Deformation and localisation behaviours of reinforced gravelly backfill using shaking table tests

To understand the deformational behaviours of geosynthetics-reinforced soil retaining walls(GRS RWs),a series of plane-strain shaking table tests was conducted on retaining wall models.The backfill of the models was made of poorly graded gravel.Deformations and strains in the gravelly backfill induced by seismic loading are recorded in real time,which are of importance to understand the seismic strength and stability of the GRS RW systems,as strain localisation development in the backfill and foundation is related to the degree of strength degradation of the system.In the present study,we aimed at quantifying the induced deformations of the GRS RW models due to shaking.Digital image correlation(DIC)technique was then employed to analyse and provide full-field deformation and motion images with the models.It is demonstrated that,unlike conventional contact devices that are yet limited to provide quantities of a singular and fixed location,DIC provides deformation and motion of the area of interests to reveal the evolution of localisation.

Study on Ultimate Pullout Force of Grouting Anchors of the Anchor-Pull Retaining Wall

Determination of the grouting anchor pullout force is a key step during the design of anchor-pull retaining wall, but it is mostly determined relied on empirical formula at present, and the rationality and the safety cannot be effectively guaranteed. Based on the engineering case of the gravity retaining wall of Qinglin Freeway, the model test was designed, and combined with the results of the ABAQUS finite element numerical analysis, it was analyzed that how the anchor axial pulling force distributes. The results showed that the force of the anchor near the wall bolt was large and which far from the wall was small and the ultimate pullout force was proportional to the length, diameter and shear strength. When the end tension of the anchor was small, the top load played a leading role on the anchor tension. This conclusion confirmed the calculation formula of ultimate pullout force was and provided a theoretical basis for anchor-pull retaining wall design and calculation.

含建筑桩基的顺层岩质边坡桩锚支护体系振动台模型试验研究

基于Bockinghamπ定理,对具有建筑桩基的顺层岩质边坡桩锚支护体系开展振动台模型试验,通过分析预应力锚索、建筑桩基的应变以及边坡坡顶加速度,研究支护体系的动力响应规律。结果表明,预应力锚索的应变在地震波加速度达到峰值时达到最大值,且上排锚索受力大于下排锚索,随着地震幅值的增大,最上排锚索锚固段率先发生滑移破坏失去锚固作用;建筑桩基应变最大值点位于滑动面以下一定深度,且远离边坡坡面的建筑桩基受力大于邻近边坡坡面的建筑桩基;坡顶各点峰值加速度随地震波幅值增大整体表现为线性增大,但在Wenchuan-Wolong波(0.55g)和Sin波(0.4g)工况时,各点峰值加速度相对有所下降,随着地震波幅值增大,各点峰值加速度放大系数在汶川波和正弦波作用下并非单调变化,而是表现为先减小后增大波动变化特点。

强夯作用下回填砂土挡墙墙后土压力分布研究

挡土墙墙后土压力分布是墙体形状及配筋设计的重要依据,为研究强夯作用下挡墙墙后土压力分布规律,开展了自重、堆载及强夯荷载下的挡土墙物理模型试验,通过不同深度的土压力监测,分析了夯击落距和夯击次数对墙后土压力分布的影响,重点分析了强夯冲击松动区的影响,并基于等效静力法修正了强夯作用下墙后土压力理论计算公式。结果表明:单次夯击作用下墙后土压力瞬间增大至极值后逐渐衰减至稳定,随着夯击次数的增多,土体逐渐密实,相应的墙后土压力会逐次增加;浅部土体在强夯作用下会形成冲击松动区,松动区内土体变得松散从而土压力值较小,而松动区下部土压力随深度迅速增大后再减小,呈“鼓肚”状非线性分布;松动区土体重度、松动区厚度尤其是后者对于墙后土压力理论分布曲线影响较大,考虑松动区影响的墙后土压力等效静力法修正理论公式更符合实际情况。

Model test on sand retaining wall reinforced with denti-strip inclusions

In conventional reinforced soil structures,the reinforcements are often laid hori-zontally in the soil.In this paper,a new concept of soil reinforced with denti-strip inclusions was proposed and a series of laboratory model tests were carried out on sand retaining wall reinforced with denti-strip inclusions.Besides the horizontal displacements of the facing,the lateral earth pressures acting on vertical elements were measured.A microscopic measurement was performed to investigate the deformation and progressive failure of the sand within model retaining wall.Based on the image analytical technique,the bearing capability and interaction mechanism of reinforced sand retaining wall were analyzed.The model of the initial shear failure and potential failure surface were also put forward.From the experimental results,it is shown that denti-strip inclusions can increase the bearing capability of retaining wall significantly and restrict the facing displacements efficiently,as compared with conventional horizontal reinforcement.

航道开挖对护岸结构影响的离心模型试验研究

为了研究航道开挖对新老护岸结构的影响,依托东宗线航道四改三工程,利用大型土工离心模型试验平台研究航道开挖对老挡墙护岸结构、新施工钢板桩的受力和变形特征的影响,得出航道开挖过程中板桩两侧土压力的分布规律。结果表明,随开挖深度增加,靠岸侧(主动侧)土压力逐渐减小;受板桩位移、变形及离心模型试验重液影响,临水侧(被动侧)土压力部分减小,底部土压力增大。开挖卸载导致老挡墙呈现向水侧移动且向后翻转的趋势。设计工况的极限开挖深度约为3.6 m,此时钢板桩顶部帽梁的水平位移达到0.069 m;对于6、8和10 m 3种长度的板桩,其极限开挖深度约为0.5~0.6倍桩长,且随着桩长增加极限开挖深度逐渐降低。研究得出不同板桩长度下开挖深度的阈值,可为工程建设提供技术参数。

水平地震作用下双级加筋土挡墙损伤识别研究

因对台阶式加筋土挡墙损伤识别的研究不足,开展了双级加筋土挡墙的大型振动台试验。采用时域识别方法分析了水平地震作用下模型的动力响应特征,阐述了上、下级挡墙自振频率、阻尼比的分布规律,探究了结构损伤程度与自振频率、阻尼比间的对应关系。研究结果表明:加载前上、下级挡墙的自振频率基本一致,阻尼比随墙高的增加而减小;随着加载工况的累积,自振频率逐渐减小,阻尼比逐渐增大。采用数学方法对自振频率和阻尼比分布曲线进行多项式拟合,对比分析可得:当自振频率减小0~15.41%、阻尼比增大0~299.35%时,结构处于基本完好阶段;当自振频率减小15.41%~18.92%、阻尼比增大299.35%~360.07%时,结构处于轻微破坏阶段;当自振频率减小18.92%~21.29%、阻尼比增大360.07%~398.21%时,结构处于中等破坏阶段;当自振频率减小21.29%~29.60%、阻尼比增大398.21%~532.99%时,结构处于毁坏状态。

装配式挡墙箱体集束连接力学性能试验研究

为解决船闸工程现浇施工体系施工效率低、质量不可控等问题,提出将装配式结构应用于船闸挡墙工程,并在此基础上将集束搭接连接应用于装配式挡墙结构。为明确集束连接的力学性能,开展了集束连接局部构件的单向分级加载试验,观察试件破坏特征和裂缝发展规律。试验结果表明:试件破坏模式为小偏心受拉破坏,破坏位置集中在插筋端部较小范围内。研究结果可为船闸挡墙工程集束连接结构的破坏模式分析和受拉承载力计算提供理论支持。

基于离心模型试验的软土基坑被动区加固

深厚软土地区深基坑内侧被动区土体抗力明显不足,开挖容易诱发较大的围护结构变形和基坑整体失稳,被动区软土加固能有效改善软土力学性能,约束基坑围护结构变形。为探究软土深基坑被动区加固的作用效果,结合离心模型试验和数值模拟技术,对被动区软土加固基坑的变形与受力特性进行了分析。结果表明:深基坑被动区软土加固能够抑制基坑围护结构出现较大的变形,且提升了被动区土体的抗力;随着被动区加固体加固宽度或加固深度的增加,基坑支护桩水平位移、主动区地表沉降值、被动区基底隆起值均呈减小的趋势;被动区加固宽度和加固深度存在合理的区间范围,当加固深度为0.5~0.6倍开挖深度、加固宽度为0.6倍开挖深度时,基坑变形控制程度较好,加固体加固深度变化对基坑变形响应更敏感,因此在软土地区深基坑被动区加固时,应优先考虑加固体加固深度对基坑变形控制的影响。

深厚软土深基坑被动区土体加固机制

周边环境复杂地区的软土深基坑对变形控制的要求极高,目前基坑支护主要遵循“强桩强撑”的设计思路,针对坑底以下存在深厚软土地层的情况,对基坑内侧被动区软土进行加固,能改善土体物理力学性能,有效约束基坑开挖变形。建立4种深厚软土地层基坑开挖模型,通过将离心模型试验的实际监测结果与Plaxis3D岩土有限元软件建立的等比例三维数值模型模拟结果相互验证,研究支护桩端在软土中的深基坑变形破坏模式和被动区加固效果。结果表明:在被动区软土未加固的情况下,支护桩端在软土中的基坑发生整体失稳破坏,支护桩进入硬土后的嵌固作用对基坑变形控制非常有利,在被动区设置裙边矩形加固,基坑变形显著减小;随着加固体深度、宽度的增加,基坑各项变形值均呈减小趋势,到一定值后变化不明显,加固深度、加固宽度的有效范围分别为0.4H~0.6H、0.6H~1.0H;加固体尺寸变化对地表沉降的影响最大,其次为支护桩水平位移、基底隆起。

预制+现浇组合式面板加筋土挡墙力学特性研究

为了分析预制与现浇组合式面板加筋土挡墙在交通荷载下的力学行为和变形特性,研究依托成昆铁路复线挡墙工程,以成昆铁路某段复合式加筋挡土墙结构为研究对象,通过现场实测和数值模拟结合的方式,对加筋土挡墙的力学特性进行了研究,重点分析了面板变形、墙后土压力、基底及墙顶沉降等分布规律。分析结果表明,实际工程中应适当增加挡墙中部筋带数量,减少加筋间距,增大加筋长度,采用短筋和长筋交替布置的方式,可充分发挥筋材的加筋作用,以加强挡墙整体稳定性。

挡墙平动墙后被动土压力研究

墙后土压力分布形式是挡土墙设计与施工的重要参考依据。本研究开展了单一硬土、硬土-软土-硬土、软土-硬土-软土和单一软土4组挡墙平动室内模型试验,分析了墙后实测侧向水平土压力分布规律。结果表明,挡墙平动,对于成层土,被动土压力均在土层交界处土应力发生突变,墙后被动土压力图呈锯齿梯形台阶分布;在侧向水平荷载作用下,水平分层地基软硬土层界面处,无应力集中与应力扩散,与竖向荷载作用下分层地基应力集中和应力扩散存在显著区别。

多级加筋土挡墙在工程中应用及模型试验分析

多级边坡在实际工程中普遍存在滑坡、边坡稳定性低等问题,为研究多级加筋土挡墙在工程实践中的应用。本文基于已有研究成果,通过实地考察和模型试验,进行了深入研究。通过模型试验并运用slide软件进行边坡稳定性及滑动面模拟计算,研究了不同加筋条件下多级加筋土挡墙的工作性能,分析了加筋材料、加筋层数、加筋间距等因素对挡墙稳定性和变形特性的影响。结果表明,加筋材料和层数间距可以改变边坡的摩擦角,提升土体的整体稳定性,在锚杆支护条件下安全系数总体可以提高111%。