Coupling discontinuum-continuum simulation of a geogrid-reinforced soil retaining wall (RSW) on soft soil

A numerical simulation was carried out to investigate the behaviour of a geogrid-reinforced soil retaining wall (RSW) with wrap-around facing on soft soil. Particle Flow Code (PFC), a discrete element method program, was used for simulation of the RSW with wrap-around facing while Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continuum (FLAC), a finite difference method program, was used for simulation of the soft soil foundation. Coupling of discontinuum and continuum methods was realized through Socket I/O connection in FLAC and PFC. Microscopic analyses were performed on the deformation under the retaining wall, particle displacement field under the static load and soil stress distribution. The computed results then were calibrated with the measurements from the physical model test, indicating the coupling discontinuum-continuum method was appropriate.