Parametric and Comparative Study of a Flexible Retaining Wall

Abstract

This paper presents design of a self-stabilizing retaining diaphragm wall, using conventional analytical calculation method based on subgrade reaction coefficient and by numerical method with finite elements method FEM can lead to various uncertainties. Hence, engineers have to calibrate a computational strategy to minimize these uncertainties due to numerical modeling. For both two methods, this paper presents various simulations with the structure installed into the supported ground without surcharge. For the first method, the analysis has investigate the influence of main factors such as the wall rigidity, the different stages of excavation, the Young’s modulus, the cohesion and internal friction’s angle of the soil. For the FEM method, two constitutive soil models are used such as Mohr-Coulomb MC and hardening soil model HSM. In case of the last model HSM, the variation of required and additional factors for the model was investigated as well as secant modulus stiffness Eref50, unloading and reloading stiffness modulus Eur, power factor m and Over-consolidated ratio OCR. The results from of the various simulations carried out are confronted with other experimental and numerical results [4]. Avery good coherence results are showed.