A finite element performance-based approach to correlate movement of a rigid retaining wall with seismic earth pressure

Abstract The paper presents a unique finite element model-based investigation and development of a relationship between the seismic active and passive earth pressure and the movement of a rigid retaining wall. A hardening soil with small strain model with consideration of the Rayleigh damping has been adopted for modelling soil. Validation of the finite element model has been carried out by using centrifuge test results already available in the literature. Unique design charts have been proposed highlighting the relationship between the seismic earth pressure and the wall movement. It is observed that the seismic active earth pressure is independent of the seismic input motion and hence does not depend upon the wall movement during an earthquake, while on the contrary the seismic passive earth pressure is significantly affected by it. Comparison of the results of the present study with the Mononobe-Okabe and pseudo-dynamic methods clearly highlights that the latter overestimates the seismic earth pressure. The proposed design charts and other results provide an important cue to the design engineers.