Dynamic earth pressures on retaining wall

Retaining walls are structures which keep the soil surface in two different levels. Retaining walls under the influence of lateral stresses must be designed to resist these impulses. Other than Static forces, dynamic forces affect retaining walls too. Especially in the first degree earthquake zone, additional dynamic forces formed during earthquakes are very important. Therefore, in order to design aforementioned retaining walls in a secure way, the size of dynamic load formed by earthquake must be taken into consideration in collaboration with static load formed at the back of the wall. In this study is calculation of dynamic earth pressures acting on retaining walls by using different methods and comparison of the results. In the direction of this aim, 3 semi-static methods including Mononobe-Okabe Method, Seed-Whitman Method and Wood Method, and 5 main regulations including Turkish, American, Japanese, Indian Seismic Code and Regulations and Eurocode 8 are studied. In order to be seen differences between these calculation methods, a parametrical study is done for various loading conditions according to Turkish Seismic Code. In pursuance of the determination of the dynamical and total thrust for practical purposes, tables and graphics are presented. The effect of wall length (H), internal friction angle (), surcharge load (q), and incline of filling (i) to dynamic earth pressures acting on retaining walls are analyzed and interpreted with tables and figures. Also, overturning and sliding moment tables are presented to enable for Turkish Seismic Code and Eurocode 8 Earthquake Regulation in order to determine required moments and forces for designing retaining walls.