DEM-Based Micro–Macro Assessment of Reverse Fault-Foundation Interaction Enhanced by a Strong Inclined Wall

A 2D discrete element model is adopted to study the impact of a Strong Inclined Wall (SIW) on reverse fault rupture-soil-foundation interaction in cohesionless soils with different densities. DEM simulation is validated with centrifuge results. Significant improvement in performance is observed when the in-plane orientation of the SIW is aligned with the fault plane and the fault plane intersects the bottom of the SIW. If the SIW inclination is higher than 30°, the SIW breaks the continuity of the fault rupture and results in soil heave at the footwall corner of the foundation. This causes the foundation to rotate towards the hanging wall. In some models with a low SIW inclination, SIW leads to an increase in foundation rotation. The SIW better minimizes foundation rotation in dense soil and increases the amount of fault dislocation required to rupture the ground surface. In models with a fault dip angle equal to 75° and a SIW inclination greater than 30°, multiple ruptures develop and create a failure wedge beneath the foundation. Using an SIW changes the micro-mechanism of failure. The dual pressure generated from faulting and SIW causes the soil particle contacts under the SIW to break which results in rupture deviation.