The effect of interface properties on retaining wall behaviour

A series of finite element analyses have been undertaken to investigate the effects of interface properties on the behaviour of a vertical retaining w all and the deformation of the ground around it. The boundary between a rig id embedded wall and the soil is modelled with zero thickness interface ele ments. Uniform translation of the wall has been studied. The analyses show the predicted limiting active and passive pressure on the wall are dependen t on the maximum wall friction angle and are in reasonable agreement with a ccepted approximate analytical solutions. The limiting pressure-is independ ent of the stiffness and dilation properties of the interface elements. The dilation properties of the interface have a significant effect on the grou nd surface deformation around the wall. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.