Deformation and localisation behaviours of reinforced gravelly backfill using shaking table tests

Abstract

To understand the deformational behaviours of geosynthetics-reinforced soil retaining walls (GRS RWs), a series of plane-strain shaking table tests was conducted on retaining wall models. The backfill of the models was made of poorly graded gravel. Deformations and strains in the gravelly backfill induced by seismic loading are recorded in real time, which are of importance to understand the seismic strength and stability of the GRS RW systems, as strain localisation development in the backfill and foundation is related to the degree of strength degradation of the system. In the present study, we aimed at quantifying the induced deformations of the GRS RW models due to shaking. Digital image correlation (DIC) technique was then employed to analyse and provide full-field deformation and motion images with the models. It is demonstrated that, unlike conventional contact devices that are yet limited to provide quantities of a singular and fixed location, DIC provides deformation and motion of the area of interests to reveal the evolution of localisation. Keywords: Geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS), Retaining wall (RW) model, Shaking table test, Digital image correlation (DIC), Localisation