DISCRETE ELEMENT METHOD ANALYSIS OF RETAINING WALL EARTH PRESSURE IN STATIC AND PSEUDO-STATIC CONDITIONS

Static and pseudo-static analysis based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM) is presented for active and passive earth pressure distribution behind a retaining wall. Soil mass in the present model is treated as comprising blocks which are connected by elasto-plastic Winkler- springs. The solution of this method satisfies all equilibrium and compatibility conditions. Examples are shown to demonstrate the applicability of the method for analyses of earth pressure behind a gravity wall, including pseudo-static pressure of earth and lateral pressure of non-homogeneous soil. The applicability of DEM for analyses of reinforced soil structures and the advantages of this method over the conventional limit equilibrium method are also discussed.