Structural behavior of reinforced soil walls under seismic loads

Abstract

One of the main engineering challenges has been to design an economical soil retaining structure with high seismic resistance. From this perspective, reinforced soil walls have been developed with a focus on flexibility, in order to efficiently resist the effects of similar historical events in the event of a significant earthquake. The overall objective of this study was to compare the structural behavior of a geogrid-reinforced soil wall (Terramesh® system) under static and pseudo-static loads, and in a seismic environment simulated using the finite element method, in a shopping center in Trujillo, Peru. A case study was conducted using a mixed methodology, both applied and analytical-comparative in scope. Furthermore, the finite element methodology, material constitutive modeling, and dynamic time-history analysis of modal structures were chosen. It was determined that seismic loading can produce a 53.33% increase in deformations compared to the static state; Likewise, the overall safety factor under dynamic conditions tends to decrease by 27.85% compared to the static case. This study demonstrated the scope of geogrid reinforcement (Terramesh® system) through a practical case of a reinforced soil wall, using Plaxis 2D software to compare, estimate, and compare structural behavior in static, dynamic, and simulated environments.