International Concrete Abstracts Portal

Title: Experimental Study on Shear Resistance of 3-D Assembled Retaining Walls (Prepublished)

Author(s): Thomas H.-K. Kang, Se-Hyun Park, Kyoung-Young Choi, Dae-Sung Jung, Boo Hyun Nam, and Seongwon Hong

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume:

Issue:

Appears on pages(s):

Keywords: 3-D assembled retaining wall block; direct shear test; mechanical interlocking; shear strength evaluation; structural stability assessment

DOI: 10.14359/51749555

Date: 2/13/2026

Abstract:
This study presents the development of a novel three-dimensional (3-D) assembled retaining wall block system, in which individual blocks are interconnected in the upper-lower, left-right, and front-back directions. Unlike conventional segmental block gravity walls that rely solely on horizontal shear keys between upper and lower blocks, the proposed 3-D system is designed to resist shear forces across the entire block cross-section through comprehensive mechanical interlocking. To evaluate its structural performance, direct shear tests were conducted, focusing on two key parameters: the block arrangement between the front and back sides, and the frictional resistance between the block and the foundation concrete. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed system exhibits significantly enhanced shear strength compared to conventional retaining wall systems. Based on these findings, shear strength estimation formulas were developed to support structural design and stability assessment. The proposed 3-D block system not only improves the mechanical integrity of retaining walls but also holds potential for enhanced resilience against complex geotechnical challenges due to climate change. These results suggest that the new system provides a reliable and robust alternative for the design of segmental retaining walls requiring high shear resistance and long-term stability.