摘要：In order to analyze failure characteristics and passive earth pressure distribution pattern against flexible retaining wall with drum deformation, a series of laboratory model tests using particle image velocimetry technique and earth pressure measurement of sandy soil with different limited width were conducted based on the self-made model equipment. The particle image velocimetry technique was employed to observe the development of failure zone in the sandy soil, the results show that the failure surface in the limited width soil is a continuous and curved surface in the drum deformation mode when the passive soil mass closes to or reaches limit state, the failure surface intersects wall body without passing through the heel. Earth pressure test results show that with the increase of lateral displacement, the distribution and variation of passive earth pressure are significantly different; the horizontal passive earth pressure behind flexible retaining wall presents a nonlinear drum distribution along the wall body; in the vicinity of the maximum horizontal displacement of flexible retaining wall, the earth pressure increases obviously and keeps increasing rapidly. Within finite width, the width to height ratio of sandy soil is smaller, the peak passive earth pressure of retaining wall is higher. Under the condition of same width to height ratio, the peak passive earth pressure is larger with the increase of the embedded depth of retaining wall. The analysis results can provide reference for design and construction of flexible retaining structure such as row pile, sheet pile and diaphragm wall.
