PPolySim OS
Launch Studio
Use case · powered by Liquefaction Assessment

Liquefaction Assessment for a retaining wall

Simulate a retaining wall live in your browser. This runs the real Liquefaction Assessment solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.

For:StudentsResearchersEducatorsEngineersHobbyists & MakersK-12 StudentsFirst Responders
1

Seismic

open full solver →
Earthquake Magnitude & ShakingLive

Controls

Presets

Magnitude is logarithmic in amplitude but each unit releases about 32× more energy (E ∝ 10^1.5M). Shaking at a site falls off with distance through attenuation. Peak ground acceleration maps to the Modified Mercalli intensity people actually feel — a planning estimate, not a site-specific hazard analysis.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Energy6.31e+13 J
TNT equivalent15.1 kt
Peak accel.0.3 %g
IntensityIII-IV Light

Governing equation

Reading this result: 30 km out, an M6 quake attenuates to only ~0.3%g — intensity III-IV Light, felt but rarely damaging. Distance and the log falloff tame most of the 6.3e+13 J released.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

↓
2

Soil Bearing

open full solver →
Soil Bearing Capacity (Terzaghi)Live
Allowable bearing pressure
400kPa
Allowable load ≈ 801 kN per metre of footing

Controls

Presets

Terzaghi's equation predicts the ultimate bearing capacity of a shallow footing as the sum of cohesion, surcharge, and self-weight terms, each with a bearing-capacity factor that grows sharply with the soil friction angle. Dividing by a factor of safety gives the allowable pressure. Educational tool, not a geotechnical design.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Nc30.1
Nq18.4
Nγ22.4
Ultimate qult1201 kPa

Governing equation

Reading this result: Mixed c-φ soil: all three terms contribute — deeper embedment and a wider footing both push the ultimate capacity higher.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

or unlock everything with Pro →

About this simulation

The full Liquefaction Assessment tool models a retaining wall with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.

More you can do with Liquefaction Assessment

Liquefaction Assessment for a cantilever balconyLiquefaction Assessment for a bridge girderLiquefaction Assessment for a floor joistLiquefaction Assessment for a roof rafterLiquefaction Assessment for a steel beamLiquefaction Assessment for a timber deckLiquefaction Assessment for a crane boomLiquefaction Assessment for a stair stringer

Other ways to simulate a retaining wall

2D Fluid (CFD) for a retaining wall3D CFD for a retaining wall3D FEA Space Frame for a retaining wallFEA Truss for a retaining wallMeshing + BCs for a retaining wallRLC Circuit for a retaining wall

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a retaining wall?
Open this page and use the live Liquefaction Assessment tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
Is it free?
Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
Can I use my own numbers?
Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a retaining wall from your own measurements.