In this paper, a dynamic centrifuge model test was conducted on a 24.8-meter-deep excavation consisting of a 20 m sand layer and 4.8 m bedrock, classified as S3 by Korean seismic design code KDS 17 10 00. A braced excavation wall supports the hole. From the results, the mechanism of seismically induced earth pressure was investigated, and their distribution and loading points were analyzed. During earthquake loadings, active seismic earth pressure decreases from the at-rest earth pressure since the backfill laterally expands at the movement of the wall toward the active direction. Yet, the passive seismic earth pressure increases from the at-rest earth pressure since the backfill pushes to the wall and laterally compresses at it, moving toward a passive direction and returning to the initial position. The seismic earth pressure distribution shows a half-diamond distribution in the dense sand and a uniform distribution in loose sand. The loading point of dynamic thrust corresponding with seismic earth pressure is at the center of the soil backfill. The dynamic thrust increased differently depending on the backfill's relative density and input motion type. Still, in general, the dynamic thrust increased rapidly when the maximum horizontal displacement of the wall exceeded 0.05 H%.
The seismic deformation method is conventionally used as a seismic design for a multi-utility tunnel in Korea. In the seismic deformation method, the soil ground’s natural period is one of the most critical factors for calculating the ground displacement using cosine functions. Correction factors for the natural period and shear wave velocity have been used to consider the non-linearity of dynamic soil properties. However, the correction factors have been issued because the correction factors have not been sufficiently studied to consider Korea’s regional conditions. This paper aims to evaluate the natural periods for the seismic deformation method considering Korea’s ground conditions. Ground response analysis was performed using seven real earthquake records on twelve sites with different soil conditions where actual multi-utility tunnels are installed. As a result, natural periods of the sites were analyzed and new correction factors were proposed according to seismic performance and Korea’s regional conditions.