Computation of the seismic stability of earth retaining structures
The purpose of this CRADA project was to evaluate the seismic stability of block retaining wall systems. Retaining wall systems are used extensively in private and commercial developments. This study was designed to develop and demonstrate a computer modeling technology to be used to predict the seismic stability of any block wall system design. The nonlinear finite element computer programs developed at LLNL and employed in the Computational Earthquake Initiative were utilized in this small business CRADA to analyze the seismic stability of the block retaining walls. The unique capability of the LLNL programs to rigorously model frictional contact in a dynamic analysis problem were used in a computer simulation of the dynamic interaction the block wall/soil systems under seismic excitation. Another important application, and the focus of the proposal, was the use of block retaining walls in highway transportation systems to provide a vertical wall to hold back a mass of soil near highway bridges, and at on-ramps and off-ramps. Block retaining walls offered the potential of highway retaining wall construction which was both more flexible and more economical than existing poured-in-place and tilt-up highway retaining wall construction. However, block retaining wall technology was not embraced and utilized in the State of California as a result of seismic stability concerns expressed by Caltrans. Caltrans had an interest in utilizing block wall systems as soil retaining systems for major highway structures in California, but they stated to the block wall manufacturers and the manufacturer's engineering consultants that block retaining walls could not be employed until Caltrans was convinced of the earthquake stability of such systems.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-Eng-48
- OSTI ID:
- 770681
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 30 Jul 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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