Numerical simulation and shaking table test of geotextile bag retaining wall structure

This study analyzed the dynamic behavior of flexible retaining walls constructed with geotextile bags. The behavior of geotextile bag retaining wall system was simulated using a large-scale shaking table in which 1 $g_n$ of one-directional dynamic load was applied. The dynamic behavior of the retaining wall was analyzed with simulated ground consisting of a geotextile bag in which 0.154–0.44 $g_n$ of ground acceleration was applied using historic and artificial seismic waves by El-Centro and Hachinohe. Dynamic characteristics of the geotextile bag retaining wall structure in response to acceleration, displacement, and earth pressure were also analyzed based on results of large-scale shaking table test and numerical analysis with the finite element method. Results showed that the dynamic active earth pressure increased with increasing ground acceleration at an action point of 0.6 $H$. In addition, the higher the point of passive positive earth pressure and the lower the increment of active positive earth pressure, the more gradual the slope of the geotextile bag retaining wall.