Dynamic analysis of MSE wall subjected to surface vibration loading

Extensively used Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls in Rail Transportation System (RTS) are vulnerable to surface vibrations generated by moving vehicles. Hence, it is necessary to consider the effects of surface vibrations during the design of MSE walls for RTS. Steel-reinforced panel-type MSE walls are shown to perform well during vibration loading, but costly steel materials have led to greater reliance on affordable and readily available geosynthetics for reinforcement. Limited research exists on the behavior of panel-type MSE walls with geosynthetics considering RTS-induced vibrations frequencies. Thus, this study employs Finite Element software PLAXIS 3D to simulate the impact of surface vibration frequencies on panel-type MSE walls. The qualitative study encompasses two reinforcement cases (geogrids and steel strips) of 4 m MSE wall height and four harmonic loading frequencies representing RTS-induced surface vibrations for simulation. The dynamic responses of MSE wall are presented in terms of lateral wall displacements and lateral earth pressure distributions. Furthermore, the distributions of tensile strain and the identification of potential slip surface locations are presented. The findings indicated that MSE wall and reinforcement responses are governed by RTS-induced vibrations and fundamental frequency of backfill soil. This highlights the need for consideration of both the fundamental frequency of the backfill soil and RTS-induced vibrations in the design of MSE walls.