Seismic behavior of a single-form lattice anchoring structure and a combined retaining structure supporting soil slope: a comparison

The lattice anchoring structure is a widely used single-form retaining structure to enhance the stability of soil slope. Meanwhile, the lattice anchoring beam is commonly combined with a gravity wall, namely a combined retaining structure, to support the high slope in engineering practice. In this study, the numerical models for both a single-form lattice anchoring structure and a combined retaining structure were established using FLAC3D code. The Wenchuan ground motions with different amplitudes were applied to investigate and compare the seismic response of the single-form lattice anchoring structure and the combined retaining structure regarding the earth pressure response, the deformation response, the mechanical characteristic of anchor and the element state of structure during earthquake. The numerical results were verified by shaking table test in terms of the dynamic earth pressure response and the axial stress of anchor. Although an intense earth pressure response was observed behind the combined retaining wall, the combined retaining structure was recommended to support the high slope in high seismic intensity region instead of the single-form lattice anchoring structure in view of the deformation of structure, the axial stress of anchor and the failure state of element.