Numerical analysis of inverted T-type wall under seismic loading

Abstract

The seismic responses of an inverted T-type wall were examined using three-dimensional numerical analyses of a time domain with explicit time integration. The numerical analysis model was modeled and verified using dynamic centrifuge tests at a prototype scale. The analytical results corresponded with the dynamic centrifuge test measurements in terms of the velocity. The generation mechanism of the dynamic earth pressure on an inverted T-type wall was reviewed using video clips constructed from the numerical analysis results. The dynamic earth pressure was primarily generated by changes in the lateral earth pressure coefficient as a result of the relative displacement of the wall stem and the settlement of the active soil wedge behind the wall. The bending moment of the wall stem increased during shaking and remained after shaking. The maximum and final distributions of the bending moments did not follow the calculation results based on the Mononobe Okabe equation.