Retaining traits of berm-retained excavations by FEM

Based on the model for hardening soils with small-strain stiffness, the retaining traits of the berm-supported excavations in silt in Zhengzhou are studied by means of the finite element method. The influences of the berm shape, including the top width and bottom width of berms, on the retaining traits of the retained excavations, such as the maximum horizontal displacement and the maximum bending moment, are studied by analyzing the finite element results. The strength reduction method is employed to deduce the stability of the berm-retained excavations. The laws of influences of berm shape on the retaining traits are studied by analyzing the safety factor obtained by the strength reduction method. Some arguments obtained by the finite element method in available literatures are evaluated by the results obtained here. The conclusions may provide valuable guidance for the design and optimization of embedded retaining walls using earth berms as temporary supports.