Shaking table tests on calcareous sand retaining walls reinforced by concrete canvas geocell

The seismic performance of concrete canvas geocell-reinforced retaining walls with calcareous sand backfill was investigated. Then, considering the effects of input accelerations, the seismic response of the retaining walls was examined, along with the acceleration, settlement and deformation of backfill surface, and lateral displacement. The results indicated that compared to the geogrid reinforcement, the concrete canvas geocell-reinforced retaining wall had a better seismic performance, especially at intense shaking. The concrete canvas geocell can effectively restrain and reduce the progradation of cracks in the backfill surface and further resist the collapse occurrence. The maximum lateral displacement ratio was reduced by 43 and 72% by employing geogrid reinforcement and concrete canvas geocell reinforcement compared to the unreinforced retaining walls under 0.7 g base shaking, respectively, and the concrete canvas reinforcement reduced the approximately 1/2 surface settlement compared to geogrid reinforcement. The bottom-layer concrete canvas geocell played important roles in the seismic stability of the retaining wall which restricted the base sliding of retaining walls and changed the failure pattern of retaining walls.