Seismic Stability Analysis of Un-Reinforced and Reinforced Soil Slopes: Fid-Bau Portal

Seismic Stability Analysis of Un-Reinforced and Reinforced Soil Slopes

Sahoo, S. / Manna, B. / Sharma, K. G.

Shaking table tests were conducted on two model soil slopes to understand the seismic behaviour and deformation characteristics of both unreinforced and reinforced (using nails) soil slopes. The shaking table tests were conducted on two slopes i.e., with and without nails and both having slope angle of 45° and slope height of 0.4m using an uni-axial shake table. The reinforcement of the soil slope has been done with nail length of 0.3m and nail inclination of 0°. The seismic excitation of the model slopes was carried out using the input time history i.e., 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake having the peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 0.57g recorded at Los Gatos Presentation Center. The experimental investigation on the model slopes using shaking table was carried out with proper instrumentation to examine various parameters of the slopes. Additionally, finite element analyses were also performed on both the slopes to examine their response to seismic loading. The numerical models developed have been used to examine the shaking table test results of both the slopes. The seismic resistance and failure mechanism of both unreinforced and reinforced soil slopes are studied in details. A reasonable agreement between the finite element and shaking table test results are obtained.