Influences of Wall Configurations on Earthquake Behavior of Cantilever Retaining Walls Considering Soil-Structure Interaction Effects

Abstract

Cantilever walls are frequently and necessarily built not only in earthquake prone regions but also on different foundation subsoils with various physical and mechanical characteristics. The response of these structures is a complicated soil-structure interaction (SSI) problem, in which the relative stiffness between the soil and structure is of critical importance. In addition to different soil conditions and earthquake motions, the wall configurations have an important role in the cantilever retaining wall design. Thus, the major objective of this work is to investigate the effects of various configurations on seismic response of the cantilever retaining walls considering SSI. Accordingly, the seismic response of the interaction systems is revealed using the 3D finite element models (FEM) in time domain, assuming linearly elastic behavior for the wall, and elastoplastic behavior for backfill and foundation soil. Viscous absorbent boundaries are employed to both simulate radiation scenario and avoid undesirable wave reflections generated by soil lateral boundaries. Backfill-wall interfaces are modeled using the unidirectional interface elements with nonlinear force-deflection abilities. The interaction systems are analyzed considering three different cantilever wall configurations (inverted T-type, L-type, and the wall with a base key), four different ground motion records, and four different subsoil systems. Nonlinear seismic analyses are carried out to visit how considering the variation of these parameters influences the wall behavior. The results from parametric studies show that the wall configuration, SSI effects and ground motions are remarkably influential on seismic responses of the cantilever walls such as the stresses and horizontal displacements.