Assessment of soil constitutive models for predicting seismic response of sheet pile walls: A LEAP-2022 project study

• Published in: Soil dynamics and earthquake engineering (1984) Vol. 178; p. 108447
• Main Authors: Pakzad, Amin, Arduino, Pedro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Bounding surface plasticity; Centrifuge tests; Finite element analysis; Lateral spreading; Sheet pile wall; Sheet pile wall; Finite element analysis; Bounding surface plasticity; Centrifuge tests; Lateral spreading
• ISSN: 0267-7261; 1879-341X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soildyn.2023.108447

This paper outlines the findings derived from a study conducted within the LEAP-2022 project, focusing on analyzing the seismic response of a sheet-pile retaining structure that supports liquefiable soils. The primary objective is to assess the efficacy of two distinct constitutive models–Manzari-Dafalias (MD) and PM4Sand–following their calibration utilizing element tests conducted on Ottawa-F65 sand. By employing these calibrated models, finite element models are generated to emulate centrifuge experiments. The results indicate that both the MD and PM4Sand models adequately capture the behavior of liquefiable soils and consequent wall displacements. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the significance of accurately calibrating for cyclic stress demands at the wall’s toe and the passive zone to precisely predict wall behavior. It also highlights that number of cycles has a significant effect on simulation results. •Wall behavior in liquefiable soils can successfully be simulated in liquefiable soils.•Initial Condition of toe of the wall should be considered in the tests used for calibration.•Simulation accuracy is dependent on loading cycles for PM4Sand and MD.•MD and PM4Sand models struggle predictions for elements tests with initial shear stress.