EVALUATION OF RETAINING WALL COLLAPSE RISK UTILIZING VIBRATION CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

Since 1955, Japan has experienced a period of rapid economic growth, during which various social infrastructure facilities were constructed. Recently, however, the aging of these infrastructures has become a significant issue. Inspection and maintenance are essential for the upkeep of these infrastructure facilities. Currently, visual inspections are the mainstream method, making it challenging to quantitatively identify damage. In this study, vibration sensors were installed at the base and top sections of retaining walls, and vibrations from adjacent trains were utilized to evaluate the collapse risk of the retaining walls based on their vibration characteristics. The vibration characteristics were quantitatively assessed by calculating the primary natural frequency from the transfer function and observing temporal changes in the natural frequency to determine the degree of deterioration of the retaining walls. The analysis results showed no significant changes in the vibration characteristics of the retaining walls, indicating no collapse risk. By understanding the inherent vibration characteristics of the retaining walls, it is possible to perform quantitative evaluations, which may be applicable in determining the presence of damage and the necessity of countermeasures in the event of a disaster.