An analytical model for predicting the natural frequency of retaining structures

Abstract

Abstract The importance of the retaining structures is crucial in geotechnical engineering and the accurate determination of static and seismic earth pressures and natural frequency is important for study the dynamic behavior of these structures. Usually analytical formulas which do not consider the earth pressures behind retaining structure are used. An analytical model for predicting the natural frequency of retaining structures including the earth pressures by failure wedges is proposed in the present analysis. The model considers the effect of Coulomb and Mononobe Okabe failure wedges. Backfill material is considered in the analysis as cohesionless. The failure wedge is an important factor which should be considered in determining the natural frequency of retaining structures. As the weight of failure wedge increases the natural frequency decreases significantly. The current model is validated using several analytical models reported in the literature of the earlier researcher.