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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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