Seismic Behavior of Retaining Walls: A Critical Review of Experimental and Numerical Findings

For reliable seismic design of earth-retaining structures, it is critical to accurately assess the magnitude and distribution of dynamic earth pressures. Over the years, numerous experimental and numerical studies have sought to clarify the complex soil–structure interactions in backfill–wall systems under seismic loads. This article expands on an earlier review by the authors of analytical and field performance studies addressing the seismic behavior of retaining walls. Despite extensive research, there is still no consensus on a standardized seismic evaluation method or on the necessity of including seismic loads in the design of retaining structures. This review critically examines notable experimental and numerical findings on dynamic lateral earth pressure, highlighting that the current design practices cannot be generally applied to all types of retaining structures. More importantly, these practices often rely on experimental data extrapolated beyond their original applicability.