Discrete –Element Model Study of Seismic Effects on Retaining Walls Aliaksei Patsevich Advisor: Dr. Usama El Shamy Civil Engineering Department Southern Methodist University

Introduction Part of a retaining wall on Highway 97 in Kelowna collapsed. November, 2011 Retaining wall failure on the A13 Autobahn at Schönberg. Unfortunately it fell onto a truck, killing the driver. March, 2012

Wall Failure Initial soil deposit and retaining wall Rankine’s Active and Passive states, Failure wedges Rotation failure of the retaining wall due to high amplitude ground acceleration

Response of the retaining wall to different magnitudes of input motion Wall Response Amplitude = 0.1g Amplitude = 0.3g Response of the retaining wall to different magnitudes of input motion

Wall Pressure Pressure distribution on the right side of the wall Amplitude = 0.1g Amplitude = 0.3g Pressure distribution on the right side of the wall Acceleration Pressure distribution on the left side of the wall

Pressure Development Amplitude = 0.1g Amplitude = 0.3g Failure Max positive acceleration Max positive acceleration Max negative acceleration Max negative acceleration Failure