Robust Design Approach of Gravity Retaining Wall Based on Info-Gap Theory

Due to the variability of geomechanical parameters and the limit of the obtained data information, the existing uncertainty analysis method for the stability of gravity retaining wall is difficult to reflect the true safety performance and failure level. The Information-Gap theory (Info-Gap) is introduced to the existing analysis method for the stability of retaining wall. Firstly, based on the analysis about the allowable change range of these uncertain variables and its measure method, a robust reliability evaluation model for uncertainty analysis of stability about gravity retaining wall is established. Secondly, based on the response output model to the stabilization and security function of gravity retaining wall, the robust reliability index is obtained by interval combination algorithm. Consequently, the robust design approach of gravity retaining wall is established based on Info-Gap theory. To demonstrate the effectiveness and significance of the proposed robust design methodology, an illustrative example is followed. A comparative study was made of the design on the basis of the robust design methodology and reliability-based design methodology. The proposed methodology affords a novel approach for the reliability assessment of retaining wall when the uncertain information is unavailable or scarce.