Centrifuge Modeling of a Tilting Wall with Liquefiable Backfill

A series of dynamic centrifuge tests was carried out to simulate the seismic behaviors of an idealized model retaining wall and the liquefiable backfill supported by the wall. The wall is hinged at the base and is supported near the top by an anchor with finite strength. Eighteen tests with various peak accelerations were applied to six saturated sand models prepared at two relative densities and with two pore fluid viscosities. Permanent tilt in the wall as a result of temporary failure of the anchor occurred in some tests. Results from tests without anchor failures were used to form a model for estimating the amount of permanent tilt in the wall