2D modelling of a dry joint masonry wall retaining a pulverulent backfill

This work focuses on an analysis of dry joint retaining structures based on yield design theory: the stability of the masonry is assessed using rigid block and shear failure mechanisms in the wall and its backfill. An application of this simulation on 2D scale-down brick and wood models is then addressed, showing close agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental results. Further development on this work, including application of this theory on dry-stone retaining walls, is discussed as a conclusion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.