• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2013

This paper presents the results of a numerical investigation into the behavior of retaining wall subject to cycles of wetting and drying due to rainfall. The stress-pore pressure coupled finite element modeling strategy was first established for stimulating the wall behavior. A series of finite element analyses were then performed on a range of conditions including different rainfall and backfill conditions. The results indicated that the rainfall intensity was the primary influencing factor for the wall behavior. Also revealed was that the pre-rainfall condition determines the magnitudes and the distribution of matric suction which in fact has a significant impact on the behavior of wall during a major rainfall. This result demonstrates the importance of incorporating the pre-rainfall condition for numerical modeling of walls during heavy rainfall. Practical implications of the findings from this study are discussed in great detail.