Dynamic analysis of a reinforced retaining wall using finite and infinite elements coupled method

Abstract A simplified method for the dynamic analysis of reinforced retaining walls during earthquakes is presented, based on the plane strain assumption and the concept of the equivalent material behind the wall. The dynamic soil-retaining wall interaction is included in this method and the system is divided into several subregions. The greatest merit of this simplified method lies in that it includes all the important factors which may affect the response of the reinforced retaining wall. Since this simplified method is based on the finite and infinite elements coupled method, not only can the natural soil and the reinforced retaining wall be simulated rigorously but also the wave propagation mechanism in the system can be modelled more realistically. Some numerical results from the analysis of a reinforced retaining wall under SV- and P-wave incidences demonstrate that the backfill soil behind the retaining wall has considerable effects on the dynamic response of the wall during higher frequency wave incidences and thus the change of material properties of the backfill should be considered in the seismic design of retaining projects.