ABSTRACT
As part of the Grand Paris project, Fort-d’Issy-Vanves-Clamart metro station is a 32 m deep excavation supported by 41 m deep retaining wall. The use of the classical subgrade reaction method to design the retaining wall shows its limits especially in terms of underestimating loads in the support elements. Arching effect undergone by retaining soil seems responsible of overloading upper struts. Finite element modelling is necessary to grasp the soil behavior and highlight the load transfer. A comparative study was carried out between finite element modelling and the subgrade reaction method. In spite of similar results in terms of wall displacement, loads in support elements are significantly different and wide discrepancies are noticed in the earth pressure diagram. The results are compared to the real performance of the retaining wall through measurement of wall deflection, strut loads and earth pressure with fiber optic, inclinometers, strain gauges and pressure cells.
