Experimental Evaluation of Back-to-Back Anchored Walls by Single Plate Anchors

Interaction of two back-to-back mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls in bridges has been the subject of many studies in road engineering. But regarding the other formations of this system with other types of retaining walls in excavation cuts stabilization, structure retrofitting, and other factors, the analysis of the interactive behavior of two back-to-back anchored walls (BBAW) by plate anchors and subjected to the vertical loading of a shallow foundation has not been the subject of comprehensive studies. This study experimentally investigated the effect of compound system architectural parameters [horizontal distance of two walls (W) and breadth of loading plate (B)] on its mechanical behavior. The loading plate yield and shear failure stresses, and also displacements and deformations of BBAW were measured and the results are presented. In order to evaluate the shape and form and how the critical failure surfaces behind the walls and beneath the foundation intersect with one another, the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique was applied. The experimental tests results showed that in this compound system, the effective distance of walls is about W = 2.5*H (H: height of walls) and foundation effective breadth is about B = H, concerning foundation yield and shear failure stresses, walls displacement, and their deformations. In larger values of W and B, foundation and walls have no interaction that can be considered as an alternative solution to the limitations of the architectural parameters in practical cases. In addition, in this study, the failure modes and their mechanisms of this compound system were studied as well as its mechanical behavior. (C) 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.