A Pseudodynamic Approach of Seismic Active Pressure on Retaining Walls Based on a Curved Rupture Surface

Abstract

Reasonable determination of the magnitude and distribution of dynamic earth pressure is one of the major challenges in the seismic design of retaining walls. Based on the principles of pseudodynamic method, the present study assumed that the critical rupture surface of backfill soil was a composite curved surface which was in combination with a logarithmic spiral and straight line. The equations for the calculation of seismic total active thrusts on retaining walls were derived using limit equilibrium theory, and earth pressure distribution was obtained by differentiating total active thrusts. The effects of initial phase, amplification factor, and soil friction angle on the distribution of seismic active earth pressure have also been discussed. Compared to pseudostatic and pseudodynamic methods for the determination of planar failure surface forms, the proposed method receives a bit lower value of seismic active earth pressures.