Performance of Sand-Tire Derivative Mixture as A Compressible Inclusion Behind Retaining Wall

Abstract

The effective utilization of waste materials plays a critical role in advancing sustainability efforts. Tire-derived aggregates (TDAs), offer a promising lightweight alternative for backfill behind retaining walls. This study investigates the potential of sand-TDA mixtures, prepared in varying proportions, to replace any synthetic light-weight materials as backfill. A numerical retaining wall model was developed using the RS2 finite element software to evaluate the performance of sand, TDAs, and sand-TDA mixtures as backfill, with emphasis on reducing lateral earth pressure. Laboratory tests validated material properties and supported the simulation results. Findings show that TDAs not only reduce lateral pressure but also offer environmental benefits, promoting sustainable construction practices while achieving efficient performance in retaining wall systems.