Passive earth reinforcement of quay walls: Numerical analysis and experimental framework

Abstract

Deeper berth requirements due to increasing vessel sizes pose a significant challenge, rendering quay wall structures as critical infrastructure for the maritime logistics chain. This paper presents preliminary numerical analyses performed using two-dimensional finite element modelling to evaluate the global structural response of the quay wall for three passive soil-cement block configurations: Small, Wide, and Deep. The presented numerical analyses form the initial phase of a broader research programme focused on establishing a validated design framework for cement-treated soil reinforcement at the passive side of quay wall structures. This phase will be followed by 1g model-scale shaking table tests to verify the performance of the defined reinforcement configurations under dynamic loading conditions. The initial numerical results indicate that the Wide Block configuration provides superior reinforcement performance compared to the Deep Block arrangement. Increasing the improvement depth beyond a certain threshold was found to produce only marginal additional reductions in structural demand. Accordingly, the results are interpreted with reference to soil–structure interaction mechanisms controlling the quay wall response. These findings will guide the configuration of the planned shaking table experiments for dynamic soil– structure interaction assessment and provide insight into how mobilized lateral equilibrium conditions influence and govern overall wall deformation behaviour.