Technical Notes
Jul 26, 2013

Ground Shock Resistance of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls

Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 14, Issue 3

Abstract

A simple analytical method has been developed that characterizes plane shock wave propagation through reinforced soil and the dynamic interaction between soil and retaining wall panels. The shock wave attributable to an explosion in the backfill was modeled as a velocity boundary condition at a standoff distance from the wall. The exact solution to this problem was obtained using the Laplace transform method. Full-scale explosive test data from 4.6-m-high and 24-m-wide reinforced soil walls were used to validate the analytical methodology. The accuracy of the analytical method has further been verified by finite-element analysis. The method is adequate for the response analysis of mechanically stabilized embankment walls under ground shock attributable to an explosion in the backfill.

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Go to International Journal of Geomechanics
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 14Issue 3June 2014

History

Received: Jan 29, 2013
Accepted: Jul 24, 2013
Published online: Jul 26, 2013
Published in print: Jun 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Aug 12, 2014

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Authors

Affiliations

Christopher Y. Tuan, Ph.D., F.ASCE [email protected]
P.E.
Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Peter Kiewit Institute, Univ. of Nebraska–Lincoln, Omaha, NE 68182-0178. E-mail: [email protected]

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