Modeling the Behavior of Granular Soils with Different Shape Characteristics Behind a Retaining Wall with Discrete Element and PIV Method

This paper reports on a study conducted to investigate the particle flow and stress distribution of limestone granular soils with varying roundness classes, ranging from angular to well-rounded, and sizes ranging from 2.00 to 8.00 mm. The study focused on four groups of soils with three different relative densities of 30, 50, and 70%, situated behind a rigid retaining wall under active and passive earth pressure conditions. The study employed the noninvasive particle image velocimetry (PIV) method and used the discrete element method (DEM) too to compare particle flow estimated by the PIV method. The main objective was to analyze the impact of roundness and relative densities on the distribution of shear stress behind the retaining wall. Additionally, the paper highlights the benefits of using DEM for analyzing retaining walls, compared to experimental methods. The experimental PIV results were qualitatively compared with the simulation results, and the earth pressure simulations showed excellent agreement with the experimental results. Moreover, the resulting internal friction angles were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.

Automated summary

This study investigated the particle flow and stress distribution of limestone granular soils with varying roundness classes and sizes. The impact of roundness and relative densities on the distribution of shear stress behind the retaining wall was analyzed. Noninvasive particle image velocimetry and discrete element method were employed to compare experimental and simulation results, which showed good agreement. The study highlights the benefits of using DEM for analyzing retaining walls compared to experimental methods.