The effect of targeted field investigation on the reliability of earth-retaining structures in passive state: A random field approach
Journal
Geosciences
Date Issued
March 2020
DOI
10.3390/geosciences10030110
Abstract
In one of their recent works, the authors examined parametrically the e ect of targeted field
investigation on reducing statistical uncertainty in active state analysis of earth retaining structures
based on 2165 di erent cases for each of the sliding and overturning modes of failure. This analysis
indicates that the optimal sampling location is always adjacent to the wall, while a sampling domain
length equal to the whole height of the wall is suggested to be considered. The present paper deals
with the “symmetrical” problem of soil under the passive state of stresses. Working in a similar
manner, 1879 passive state cases have been considered (also for each of the sliding and overturning
modes of failure) in a Random Finite Element Method (RFEM) analysis framework, where soil
properties are modeled as random fields while measurements are modeled by sampling from di erent
points of the field domain. The “actual” resultant earth passive pressure force (or moment) exerted by
the random soil on the retaining wall is compared against the respective “predicted” one calculated
using the soil property values sampled from the random field. Failure is considered to have occurred
when the derived “actual” force is smaller than the respective “predicted” force. This analysis clearly
indicates that the passive state constitutes a di erent problem, where the optimal sampling distance
from the wall is half the wall height. Regarding the depth of exploration, it was again found to be
the entire wall height. In addition, the present analysis shows that, the benefit from a targeted field
investigation is much greater than the benefit gained using statistical methods for obtaining cautious
estimates for the various soil properties; the latter refers to the “characteristic value”, a concept
commonly used in the Limit State analysis framework of Eurocode 7.
investigation on reducing statistical uncertainty in active state analysis of earth retaining structures
based on 2165 di erent cases for each of the sliding and overturning modes of failure. This analysis
indicates that the optimal sampling location is always adjacent to the wall, while a sampling domain
length equal to the whole height of the wall is suggested to be considered. The present paper deals
with the “symmetrical” problem of soil under the passive state of stresses. Working in a similar
manner, 1879 passive state cases have been considered (also for each of the sliding and overturning
modes of failure) in a Random Finite Element Method (RFEM) analysis framework, where soil
properties are modeled as random fields while measurements are modeled by sampling from di erent
points of the field domain. The “actual” resultant earth passive pressure force (or moment) exerted by
the random soil on the retaining wall is compared against the respective “predicted” one calculated
using the soil property values sampled from the random field. Failure is considered to have occurred
when the derived “actual” force is smaller than the respective “predicted” force. This analysis clearly
indicates that the passive state constitutes a di erent problem, where the optimal sampling distance
from the wall is half the wall height. Regarding the depth of exploration, it was again found to be
the entire wall height. In addition, the present analysis shows that, the benefit from a targeted field
investigation is much greater than the benefit gained using statistical methods for obtaining cautious
estimates for the various soil properties; the latter refers to the “characteristic value”, a concept
commonly used in the Limit State analysis framework of Eurocode 7.
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