Shaking table tests on influence of site conditions on seismic earth pressures of retaining wall

Theresearch on seismic earth pressure is the core content of aseismic design of retaining walls. By investigating the seismic hazards induced by Wenchuan Earthquake, it is found that the retaining walls constructed on soil sites are easier to be damaged compared with those on rock sites. In view of this, it is very necessary to carry out researches on the influences of site conditions on the seismic earth pressures of retaining walls. But now, the codes for the aseismic design of railways and highways in many countries don’t consider it. Large-scale shaking table tests, therefore, are performed to strengthen the understanding of the influences of site conditions on the seismic earth pressures of retaining walls. In the tests, the distribution of earth pressures, and the values and locations of resultant seismic earth pressures are measured. The reason for performing large shaking table tests is that the tests are the most direct research approach to study seismic responses of structures. In addition, by comparison of the measured and calculated values by codes for the aseismic design in several countries, some suggestions on the aseismic design of retaining walls are proposed.