Pseudo-static analytical model for the static and seismic stability of dry stone retaining walls

Abstract

Dry stone retaining walls are made of rubble stones assembled without mortar. They have shaped many regions worldwide and nowadays constitute a high cultural value, aside from their original operational role (agricultural terraces or transportation networks). However, given their high number and old age, they currently need maintenance, whereas only a few tools are available to assess their stability. In particular, the literature lacks a design tool that accounts for seismic loads. In this paper, a pseudo-static approach based on Coulomb’s wedge theory is described in detail. General effects of cohesion, water pore pressure and geometrical features of the backfill are considered. On the other hand, the specificities of dry stone retaining walls are introduced through new parameters, whose values are extracted from laboratory and in-situ experiments.