Seismic Lateral Earth Pressure Reduction on Earth-Retaining Structures Using Geofoams
Publication: Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics IV
Abstract
Geofoam is a type of cellular geosynthetic that can be used to reduce lateral earth pressures acting on a wide range of earth-retaining structures (ERSs). There are two distinct geosynthetic-functional ways in which geofoams can provide this benefit: as lightweight fill and as a compressible inclusion. These functions can be implemented either in new construction or retroactively with existing ERSs. Depending on the specific design details chosen, it is possible to reduce lateral earth pressures acting on an ERS to almost zero under both gravity and seismic loading. Unfortunately, the existence and capabilities of this geotechnology, which has the potential to revolutionize the way ERSs are designed, are still not widely known and thus have been significantly underutilized to date. This paper summarizes the state of knowledge concerning the use of geofoams to reduce lateral earth pressures on ERSs and addresses both analytical methods (with an emphasis on seismic loading) as well as geofoam materials and products. It is hoped that this will encourage both usage and research of this intriguing geotechnology.
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Copyright
© 2008 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Jun 20, 2012
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamic loads
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Earthquake engineering
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Geomaterials
- Geomechanics
- Geosynthetics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Lateral pressure
- Pressure (type)
- Retaining structures
- Seismic effects
- Seismic loads
- Seismic tests
- Soil dynamics
- Soil mechanics
- Soil pressure
- Solid mechanics
- Structural dynamics
- Tests (by type)
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