Seismic coefficients for pseudo-static analysis of wrap-faced GRS walls with nonlinear soil fills

Pseudo-static seismic design procedure for Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS) walls includes the selection of a suitable horizontal seismic coefficient for external and internal stability analysis. The present guidelines for the seismic design of GRS walls have been mostly adopted from studies performed on conventional retaining walls. Hence, it is required to study the seismic response of GRS walls. In the present study, a finite element (FE) model of a wrap-faced GRS wall was developed in OpenSees. It was analysed for multiple earthquake time histories to study the variability in earthquake characteristics. The shaking level was also varied from 0.12g to 0.48g to consider the nonlinear response of backfill soil. The acceleration response and dynamic earth pressure increment in the wall were observed to increase with the shaking level but at a lower rate for higher shaking levels. The reinforcement force increments under seismic loading also showed a similar response. The internal failure plane in the GRS wall was slightly inclined, although not completely aligned with Rankine's active failure plane. Seismic coefficients are recommended for wrap-faced GRS walls as a function of PHA. The coefficients were calibrated using the maximum earth pressure and reinforcement forces obtained from FE analysis. The effect of reinforcement stiffness is also incorporated in the recommendation for internal stability analysis. A seismic coefficient greater than PHA is suggested at low shaking levels. It is in direct contrast to many previous studies as the coefficients are calibrated considering the maximum force demand in the GRS wall. Force-based designs need to consider the applicability of maximum earth pressure and reinforcement forces in the GRS wall, which can cause either external or internal instability in the wall. While at higher PHAs, the seismic coefficient should be almost constant to provide reliable estimates of earth pressure and reinforcement forces.