Seismic Behavior of a Cohesive Backfilled Geosynthetic Reinforced Wall

This study investigates the performance of a geosynthetic-reinforced modular block retaining wall backfilled with cohesive soil during seismic loading. A shaking table test was performed to understand the seismic behavior of the ½ scaled model wall with the dimensions 190 cm height, 280 cm length, 50 cm width. Scaled versions of the recorded El Centro and Kobe earthquakes at different amplitudes were applied. A 12.5^° battered facing was constructed with modular hollow concrete blocks. Polyester woven geogrid was used in the test. Maximum and residual displacements on the front wall, acceleration amplification ratios on the front wall and inside the backfill, strain values implying the tensile loads on the reinforcements, and the visual observations for the facing and backfill surface were the results of this test to evaluate the performance of the cohesive backfilled model wall. As a conclusion, it can be said that the model wall with cohesive backfill performed within acceptable limits under seismic loading conditions when compared with the limit design values described in previous studies.