Seismic response of reduced-scale modular block and rigid faced reinforced walls through shaking table tests

Latha, Madhavi G and Santhanakumar, P (2015) Seismic response of reduced-scale modular block and rigid faced reinforced walls through shaking table tests. In: GEOTEXTILES AND GEOMEMBRANES, 43 (4). pp. 307-316.

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Abstract

This paper focuses on understanding the seismic response of geosynthetic reinforced retaining walls through shaking table tests on models of modular block and rigid faced reinforced retaining walls. Reduced-scale models of retaining walls reinforced with geogrid layers were constructed in a laminar box mounted on a uniaxial shaking table and subjected to various levels of sinusoidal base shaking. Models were instrumented with ultrasonic displacement sensors, earth pressure sensors and accelerometers. Effects of backfill density, number of reinforcement layers and reinforcement type on the performance of rigid faced and modular block walls were studied through different series of model tests. Performances of the walls were assessed in terms of face deformations, crest settlement and acceleration amplification at different elevations and compared. Modular block walls performed better than the rigid faced walls for the same level of base shaking because of the additional support derived by stacking the blocks with an offset. Type and quantity of reinforcement has significant effect on the seismic performance of both the types of walls. Displacements are more sensitive to relative density of the backfill and decrease with increasing relative density, the effect being more pronounced in case of unreinforced walls compared to the reinforced ones. Acceleration amplifications are not affected by the wall facing and inclusion of reinforcement. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	GEOTEXTILES AND GEOMEMBRANES
Publisher:	ELSEVIER SCI LTD
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the ELSEVIER SCI LTD, THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, OXON, ENGLAND
Keywords:	Geosynthetics; Shaking table tests; Seismic response; Modular block walls; Geogrid; Retaining walls
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Civil Engineering
Date Deposited:	26 Aug 2015 05:35
Last Modified:	26 Aug 2015 05:35
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/52236

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