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Bearing capacity of tapered walls: Physical modeling and numerical analysis Cover

Bearing capacity of tapered walls: Physical modeling and numerical analysis

Open Access
|Aug 2025

Figures & Tables

Figure 1

Sand preparation process: (a) sand raining technique and (b) prepared strongbox.
Sand preparation process: (a) sand raining technique and (b) prepared strongbox.

Figure 2

Experimental setup layout: (a) section view and (b) plan view at the end of wall installation. All dimensions in mm.
Experimental setup layout: (a) section view and (b) plan view at the end of wall installation. All dimensions in mm.

Figure 3

Experimental setup with model walls and loading frame configuration.
Experimental setup with model walls and loading frame configuration.

Figure 4

Numerical model setup in OPTUM G2.
Numerical model setup in OPTUM G2.

Figure 5

Load at pile head–displacement curves of walls from centrifuge experiments during the installation phase.
Load at pile head–displacement curves of walls from centrifuge experiments during the installation phase.

Figure 6

Effect of boundary conditions (container size) on the load–displacement curves: (a) HMC – lower bound, (b) HMC – upper bound, (c) MC – lower bound, and (d) MC – upper bound.
Effect of boundary conditions (container size) on the load–displacement curves: (a) HMC – lower bound, (b) HMC – upper bound, (c) MC – lower bound, and (d) MC – upper bound.

Figure 7

Effect of mesh density on load–displacement curves: (a) HMC – lower bound, (b) HMC – upper bound, (c) MC – lower bound, and (d) MC – upper bound.
Effect of mesh density on load–displacement curves: (a) HMC – lower bound, (b) HMC – upper bound, (c) MC – lower bound, and (d) MC – upper bound.

Figure 8

Load–displacement curves for different combinations of MC models with associated and non-associated flow rules.
Load–displacement curves for different combinations of MC models with associated and non-associated flow rules.

Figure 9

Effect of dilation cap on the load–settlement curves using (a) HMC model and (b) MC model.
Effect of dilation cap on the load–settlement curves using (a) HMC model and (b) MC model.

Figure 10

Load–displacement curves of the S wall using (a) HMC model, (b) associated MC model, and (c) non-associated MC model.
Load–displacement curves of the S wall using (a) HMC model, (b) associated MC model, and (c) non-associated MC model.

Figure 11

Load–displacement curves for the T1 wall using (a) HMC model, (b) associated MC model, and (c) non-associated MC model.
Load–displacement curves for the T1 wall using (a) HMC model, (b) associated MC model, and (c) non-associated MC model.

Figure 12

Load–displacement curves for the T2 wall using (a) HMC model, (b) associated MC model, and (c) non-associated MC model.
Load–displacement curves for the T2 wall using (a) HMC model, (b) associated MC model, and (c) non-associated MC model.

Figure 13

Failure mechanisms of the straight (S), moderately tapered (T1), and sharply tapered (T2) walls.
Failure mechanisms of the straight (S), moderately tapered (T1), and sharply tapered (T2) walls.

Figure 14

Failure load comparison for S, T1, and T2 walls at the end of installation.
Failure load comparison for S, T1, and T2 walls at the end of installation.

Figure 15

Comparison of numerical and experimental analysis (prototype scale) for (a) non-associated flow rule and (b) associated flow rule.
Comparison of numerical and experimental analysis (prototype scale) for (a) non-associated flow rule and (b) associated flow rule.

Figure 16

Relative installation effects (%) as a function of taper angle.
Relative installation effects (%) as a function of taper angle.

Properties of sand used in OPTUM G2 analysis [25]_

PropertyMC modelHMC model
Young’s modulus (E)35 MPa
Friction angle (φ′)31.5°31.5°
Cohesion (c′)00
Poisson’s ratio (ν)0.30.3
Unit weight (γ)16 kN/m3
Reference Young’s modulus (E 50,ref) 40 MPa
Unloading modulus (E ur,ref) 75 MPa
Earth pressure coefficient (K 0)0.470.47
Dilatancy angle for non-associated flow (ψ)5.0°5.37°
Reference stress (p ref) 100 kPa
Hardening parameter (m) 0.5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sgem-2025-0019 | Journal eISSN: 2083-831X | Journal ISSN: 0137-6365
Language: English
Page range: 46 - 61
Submitted on: Dec 5, 2024
Accepted on: May 22, 2025
Published on: Aug 14, 2025
Published by: Wroclaw University of Science and Technology
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

© 2025 Worku Firomsa Kabeta, published by Wroclaw University of Science and Technology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.