An analysis of model testing and finite element approach for distribution of earth pressures

This study presents a comprehensive comparison of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations using finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the effects of various geotextile spacing on the distribution of earth pressure. The experiments were conducted in the ''Tiger Cage (TC)...

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Main Authors: Jungang Liu, Feng Liang, Geng Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Alexandria Engineering Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110016825005794
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author Jungang Liu
Feng Liang
Geng Chen
author_facet Jungang Liu
Feng Liang
Geng Chen
author_sort Jungang Liu
collection DOAJ
description This study presents a comprehensive comparison of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations using finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the effects of various geotextile spacing on the distribution of earth pressure. The experiments were conducted in the ''Tiger Cage (TC)'' testing facility at the University of Colorado Denver's (UCD) Geotechnical Engineering Science Center. A total of four large-scale tests were performed on Leyden Clay (LC) and Colorado Department of Transportation Class 1 Structure Backfill Material (CDOT Class 1 SBM) to validate the finite element model. The research focuses on the distribution of earth pressure on Leyden Clay and CDOT Class 1 SBM, validated through large-scale physical tests and 3D FEA simulations performed using the LS-DYNA and ABAQUS software. The results demonstrate the accuracy of numerical models in predicting earth pressure distributions, with strong correlations observed between experimental data and simulation results. The study reveals that the current method provision is inaccurate in predicting earth pressure distribution at the bottom of the wall, as the predicted data from numerical models show the highest earth pressures of 485Kpa around two-thirds of the wall height (150 cm). This research provides valuable insights into soil-structure interaction, contributing to the design and analysis of retaining walls and foundations in geotechnical engineering.
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spelling doaj-art-9ddac4750f3448d0b33fe85f838e18522025-08-22T04:55:17ZengElsevierAlexandria Engineering Journal1110-01682025-08-01127183310.1016/j.aej.2025.04.083An analysis of model testing and finite element approach for distribution of earth pressuresJungang Liu0Feng Liang1Geng Chen2Department of Civil Engineering, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture at the Hubei Polytechnic University, No.16 North of Guilin Road, K8-303, Huangshi, Hubei 435003, China; Center for Geotechnical Engineering Science, University of Colorado Denver, 923 South Fairplay Street, Aurora, CO 80012, USA; Corresponding author at: Department of Civil Engineering, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture at the Hubei Polytechnic University, No.16 North of Guilin Road, K8-303, Huangshi, Hubei 435003, China.Department of Civil Engineering, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture at the Hubei Polytechnic University, No.16 North of Guilin Road, K8-303, Huangshi, Hubei 435003, ChinaCenter for Geotechnical Engineering Science, University of Colorado Denver, 923 South Fairplay Street, Aurora, CO 80012, USA; Department of Civil Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, 923 South Fairplay Street, Aurora, CO 80012, USAThis study presents a comprehensive comparison of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations using finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the effects of various geotextile spacing on the distribution of earth pressure. The experiments were conducted in the ''Tiger Cage (TC)'' testing facility at the University of Colorado Denver's (UCD) Geotechnical Engineering Science Center. A total of four large-scale tests were performed on Leyden Clay (LC) and Colorado Department of Transportation Class 1 Structure Backfill Material (CDOT Class 1 SBM) to validate the finite element model. The research focuses on the distribution of earth pressure on Leyden Clay and CDOT Class 1 SBM, validated through large-scale physical tests and 3D FEA simulations performed using the LS-DYNA and ABAQUS software. The results demonstrate the accuracy of numerical models in predicting earth pressure distributions, with strong correlations observed between experimental data and simulation results. The study reveals that the current method provision is inaccurate in predicting earth pressure distribution at the bottom of the wall, as the predicted data from numerical models show the highest earth pressures of 485Kpa around two-thirds of the wall height (150 cm). This research provides valuable insights into soil-structure interaction, contributing to the design and analysis of retaining walls and foundations in geotechnical engineering.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110016825005794Large-scale testing device “Tiger Cage”Earth pressure distributionLeyden clayCDOT class 1 SBMFinite element analysis (FEA)
spellingShingle Jungang Liu
Feng Liang
Geng Chen
An analysis of model testing and finite element approach for distribution of earth pressures
Alexandria Engineering Journal
Large-scale testing device “Tiger Cage”
Earth pressure distribution
Leyden clay
CDOT class 1 SBM
Finite element analysis (FEA)
title An analysis of model testing and finite element approach for distribution of earth pressures
title_full An analysis of model testing and finite element approach for distribution of earth pressures
title_fullStr An analysis of model testing and finite element approach for distribution of earth pressures
title_full_unstemmed An analysis of model testing and finite element approach for distribution of earth pressures
title_short An analysis of model testing and finite element approach for distribution of earth pressures
title_sort analysis of model testing and finite element approach for distribution of earth pressures
topic Large-scale testing device “Tiger Cage”
Earth pressure distribution
Leyden clay
CDOT class 1 SBM
Finite element analysis (FEA)
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110016825005794
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