<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Ground movements induced by deep excavations may cause damages on neighboring existing buildings. Finite element simulations generally give acceptable estimates of the horizontal displacements of the retaining wall, but results are less satisfactory for the vertical displacements of the ground surface behind the structure. A possible explanation is that most constitutive models describe volumetric strains in a simplified way. This paper proposes an elastoplastic constitutive model aimed at improving the prediction of vertical displacements behind retaining walls. The model comprises a single plastic mechanism with isotropic strain hardening, but has a specific flow rule that allows to generate contractive plastic strains. Identification of the parameters based on triaxial tests is explained and illustrated by an example of calibration. A numerical analysis of a well-documented sheet pile wall in sand in Hochstetten (Germany) is presented. The results given by the model are compared with the measurements and with those obtained using the Hardening Soil Model. The potential advantages of the proposed model are then discussed.</p>
</abstract>

Ground movements induced by deep excavations may cause damages on neighboring existing buildings. Finite element simulations generally give acceptable estimates of the horizontal displacements of the retaining wall, but results are less satisfactory for the vertical displacements of the ground surface behind the structure. A possible explanation is that most constitutive models describe volumetric strains in a simplified way. This paper proposes an elastoplastic constitutive model aimed at improving the prediction of vertical displacements behind retaining walls. The model comprises a single plastic mechanism with isotropic strain hardening, but has a specific flow rule that allows to generate contractive plastic strains. Identification of the parameters based on triaxial tests is explained and illustrated by an example of calibration. A numerical analysis of a well-documented sheet pile wall in sand in Hochstetten (Germany) is presented. The results given by the model are compared with the measurements and with those obtained using the Hardening Soil Model. The potential advantages of the proposed model are then discussed.

An elastoplastic constitutive model for assessing ground settlements induced by deep excavations

Studia Geotechnica et Mechanica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Ground movements induced by deep excavations may cause damages on neighboring existing buildings. Finite element simulations generally give acceptable...

An elastoplastic constitutive model for assessing ground settlements induced by deep excavations

Article Category: Original Study

Published Online: Sep 21, 2023

Page range: 231 - 245

Received: Jan 16, 2023

Accepted: May 13, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sgem-2023-0011

Keywords
deep excavations, settlements, constitutive model, finite element method, elastoplastic model

© 2023 Hiba El-Arja et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

An elastoplastic constitutive model for assessing ground settlements induced by deep excavations

Article Category: Original Study

Published Online: Sep 21, 2023

Page range: 231 - 245

Received: Jan 16, 2023

Accepted: May 13, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sgem-2023-0011

Keywordsdeep excavations, settlements, constitutive model, finite element method, elastoplastic model

© 2023 Hiba El-Arja et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
deep excavations, settlements, constitutive model, finite element method, elastoplastic model