A Resiliency Approach for Design of Earth Retaining Systems with Application on MSE Walls-Paper

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The paper evaluates a resilience-based, performance-oriented approach to designing earth-retaining systems by comparing a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall with a conventional bored-pile wall. Both 10 m-high systems were designed to meet the same static and seismic factors of safety. Their behavior was assessed using nonlinear two-dimensional finite-element analyses, calibrated soil models, and experimentally based reinforcement pull-out resistance. Four recorded earthquake motions, ranging from moderate to extreme, were applied.<br /><br />Under static loading, the pile wall displaced about three times as much as the MSE wall. During seismic shaking, the MSE wall consistently experienced smaller permanent displacements. In the extreme Northridge Rinaldi record, the MSE wall moved approximately 270 mm at the top, compared with 500 mm for the pile wall. The pile wall developed large curvature and used much of its structural capacity, leaving it vulnerable to aftershocks; MSE reinforcement stresses remained below yield.<br /><br />A further analysis removed half the MSE reinforcement. Displacements increased only marginally, indicating redundancy: the system can draw on both reinforcement strength and yielding of the soil within the reinforced zone. Under extreme shaking, however, the most highly stressed reinforcement approached its capacity, signaling potential failure.<br /><br />The authors conclude that MSE walls can offer greater resilience than conventionally designed pile walls through reduced deformation, retained structural integrity, post-earthquake operability, and redundant resistance mechanisms. The findings support performance-based design that considers functionality and recovery, not only safety factors.

Keywords

mechanically stabilized earth wall

bored-pile wall

resilience-based design

performance-oriented design

earth-retaining systems

nonlinear finite-element analysis

seismic loading

permanent displacement

reinforcement pull-out resistance

post-earthquake operability