Evaluation of Retaining Wall and Surrounding Ground Behavior in Soft Cohesive Soil by FEM Analysis

Owing to the proximity of excavation works in urban areas to infrastructure, accurate assessment of the impact of these excavations on the surrounding environment is crucial. Previous studies have utilized step finite element method (FEM) analysis to comprehend the behaviors of retaining walls and surrounding soil during excavation. However, challenges persist in properly evaluating the horizontal displacement of retaining walls and the vertical displacement of the ground behind them, particularly in soft cohesive ground, as highlighted by Kono in Outline of FEM analysis and analysis result, 2010. This study aimed to evaluate the behaviors of retaining walls and surrounding soil by employing elasto-plastic step FEM analysis. The analysis incorporated an elastic modulus that accounts for ground confining pressure and strain due to excavation. Additionally, the usefulness of the method for setting the deformation coefficient was evaluated.