Interaction Effect of Retaining Wall and Existing Foundations in Braced Excavation

Two-dimensional model tests are conducted to investigate the deformation mechanism of the ground and the earth pressure of retaining wall. Numerical simulations with finite element method using FEMtij-2D are also carried out for the same scale of the model tests. Subloading t_ij model is used in the analyses to model the ground material. Several patterns of the model tests are performed varying the length of the retaining wall and changing the distance between the foundation and wall. It is revealed in this research that maximum surface settlement does not always occur just behind the wall, but mostly at the position of the existing building. The rotation of the foundations depends on the distance between the foundation and wall. The numerical analyses can well simulate the observed earth pressures, surface settlements and deformation mechanism of the ground.