Theoretical and Numerical Analysis of Cohesive-Frictional Backfill against Battered Retaining Wall under Active Translation Mode

Abstract

The appropriate prediction of horizontal earth pressure against retaining walls can lead to a safer and more efficient design of such structures. Retaining walls are among the structures in which the arching phenomenon plays an essential role in distributing horizontal earth pressure. In this research, based on the limit equilibrium condition and considering the arching effect, a new theoretical method is proposed to estimate the earth pressure against a battered wall under translation movement with a cohesive-frictional backfill soil. A parametric study is conducted for assessing the effect of the surcharge pressure, cohesion, internal friction angle, wall–soil friction angle, and wall inclination on lateral earth pressure. In addition, a series of numerical models is employed to implement the finite difference method. The development of shear bands inside the backfill and the changes in earth pressure behind the wall are studied. The outcomes of the suggested analytical solution are compared with the numerical data as well as with some other theories. It is concluded that the proposed method is applicable to a wide range of cohesive-frictional soils retained with walls, covering a variety of batter angles and face frictional conditions.