Slope stability analysis under seismic load by vector sum analysis method

The vibration characteristics and dynamic responses of rock and soil under seismic load can be estimated with dynamic finite element method （DFEM）. Combining with the DFEM, the vector sum analysis method （VSAM） is employed in seismic stability analysis of a slope in this paper. Different from other conventional methods, the VSAM is proposed based on the vector characteristic of force and current stress state of the slope. The dynamic stress state of the slope at any moment under seismic load can he obtained by the DFEM, thus the factor of safety of the slope at any moment during earthquake can be easily obtained with the VSAM in consideration of the DFEM. Then, the global stability of the slope can be estimated on the basis of time-history curve of factor of safety and reliability theory. The VSAM is applied to a homogeneous slope under seismic load. The factor of safety of the slope is 1.30 under gravity only and the dynamic factor of safety under seismic load is 1.21. The calculating results show that the dynamic characteristics and stability state of the slope with input ground motion can be actually analyzed. It is believed that the VSAM is a feasible and practical approach to estimate the dynamic stability of slopes under seismic load.

Probabilistic Analysis for Seismic Stability of Beach Earth Embankment

The current safety factor method for evaluating earth embankment stability is not very rational since the assessment of slope stability is really an uncertainty problem. In order to consider the random property of this problem, the probabilistic analysis is introduced herein. Finally, the stability of a real beach earth embankment is analysed by means of the suggested probabilitic approach. It may be seen that the results of analysis can represent the numerical assessment of the degree of seismic stability.

Fuzzy Probabilistic Analysis of Seismic Stability of Coastal Embankment

The stability of slope is affected by a number of factors, some of which have not only random property but also fuzzy characteristic. Therefore, the analysis of slope stability is really an uncertain problem. The customary safety factor does not in reality reflect stability scientifically, quantitatively and practically. In order to obtain more practical results, the slope stability is treated as a fuzzy random event for the evaluation of its fuzzy probability. Finally, the seismic stability of an existing coastal embankment is analyzed by means of the suggested fuzzy probabilistic method. It may be seen that the results of analysis can more fully represent the numerical assessment of the degree of slope seismic stability.

Seismic stability analysis of slopes with pre-existing slip surfaces

In analyzing seismic stability of a slope with upper bound limit analysis method, the slip surface is often assumed as a log-spiral or plane slip surface. However, due to the presence of a weak layer and unfavorable geological structural surface or a bedrock interface with overlying soft strata, the preexisting slip surface of the slope may be irregular and composed of a series of planes rather than strictly logspiral or plane shape. A computational model is developed for analyzing the seismic stability of slopes with pre-existing slip surfaces. This model is based on the upper bound limit analysis method and can consider the effect of anchor bolts. The soil or rock is deemed to follow the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion. The slope is divided into multiple block elements along the slip surface. According to the displacement compatibility and the associated flow rule, a kinematic velocity field of the slope can be obtained computationally. The proposed model allows not only calculation of the rate of external work owing to the combined effect of self-weight and seismic loading, but also that of the energy dissipation rate caused by the slip surface, interfaces of block elements and anchorage effect of the anchors. Considering a direct relationship between the rate of external work and the energy dissipation rate, the expressions of yield acceleration and permanent displacement of anchored slopes can be derived. Finally, the validity of this proposed model is illustrated by analysis on three typical slopes. The results showed that the proposed model is more easily formulated and does not need to solve complex equations or time consuming iterations compared with previous methods based on the conditions of force equilibrium.

Upper bound seismic rotational stability analysis of gravity retaining walls considering embedment depth

Stability analysis of gravity retaining wall was currently based on the assumption that the wall had no embedment depth. The effect of earth berm was usually neglected. The present work highlighted the importance of embedment depth when assessing the seismic stability of gravity retaining walls with the pattern of pure rotation. In the framework of upper bound theorem of limit analysis, pseudo-static method was applied into two groups of parallel rigid soil slices methods in order to account for the effect of embedment depth on evaluating the critical acceleration of wall-soil system. The present analytical solution is identical to the results obtained from using limit equilibrium method, and the two methods are based on different theory backgrounds. Parameter analysis indicates that the critical acceleration increases slowly when the ratio of the embedment depth to the total height of the wall is from 0 to 0.15 and increases drastically when the ratio exceeds 0.15.

Numerical analysis of pile–slope stability and the soil arching around two adjacent piles

Seismic pile–slope stability analysis and the formation mechanism of soil arching have not been well studied. This study used a threedimensional(3D) finite difference to determine soil and pile parameter changes in the static and seismic stability of the pile–slope caused by the interaction between stabilizing piles. Pile–slope stability analysis was performed to determine the optimal design of piles along a slope and the corresponding failure mode involving the formation of soil arching around two adjacent piles. The Factor of Safety(FS) of the slope was evaluated using the shear strength reduction method for static and seismic analyses. The results of the analysis show that suitable pile spacing(S) and a suitable pile diameter(D) in the middle of a slope result in the maximum FS for the pile–slope system and the formation of soil arching around two adjacent piles. FS of the pile–slope increased negligibly in the seismic analysis of piles located at the slope crest and toe. An optimized pile diameter and installation location afforded the maximum FS for the slope that corresponded to a specified slope failure mode for different pile locations. A pile spacing S ≤ 2.5D for piles installed in the middle of the slope is suggested for increasing the static and seismic pile–slope stability.

Effects of vertical seismic acceleration on 3D slope stability

The conventional pseudo-static approach often neglects the effect of the vertical＇ seismic acceleration on the stability of a slope, but some analyses under plane-strain （2D） conditions show a significant effect on the slope stability. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the vertical acceleration on the safety of three-dimensional （3D） slopes. In the strict framework of limit analysis, a 3D kinematically admissible rotational failure mechanism is adopted here for 3D homogeneous slopes in frictional/cohesive soils. A set of stability charts is presented in a wide range of parameters for 3D slopes under combined horizontal and vertical seismic loading conditions. Accounting for the effects of the vertical seismic acceleration, the difference in safety factors for 3D slopes can exceed 10%, which will significantly overestimate the safety of the 3D slopes.

Comparison of seismic stability for slopes with tensile strength cut-off and cracks

The strength of geomaterials is typically predicted by the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion in slope stability analysis.The tensile strength of soils in this yield criterion,which is an extrapolation of the triaxial compression test results,is usually overestimated.Generally,the influences of tensile stresses in slopes are evaluated by two approaches:1)introducing cracks to eliminate the tensile stresses in slopes,and 2)truncating the strength envelope to reduce the tensile strength of the soils.However,comparative analyses of the two approaches have not been fully implemented,especially under dynamic conditions.In this study,three slope failure mechanisms corresponding to the predictions of slope stability by the mentioned two approaches subjected to seismic loadings are systematically evaluated.The stability factor considering the pre-existing crack,crack formation,and tension cut-off are compared one another.The most unfavorable crack locations corresponding to the different mechanisms are evaluated.The influence of tensile strength on the factor of safety of slopes is estimated as well.Further,the critical acceleration and the permanent displacement of slopes with pre-existing crack,and tension cut-off are derived in the framework of the kinematic theorem of limit analysis.The vertical effects of seismic coefficient on critical acceleration and permanent displacement are discussed.Conclusions can be drawn that the consideration of tension zone effects can sharply reduce the stability factor of slopes,especially for steep slopes and large horizontal seismic loads;different from the static condition,the slope with pre-existing crack is not always the most vulnerable to collapse,the tension cut-off mechanism in steep slopes may predict the lowest stability factor.In addition,the calculation shows that an evidently increase in the slope displacement is induced by the increasing downward vertical loads,while a decrease occurs if the vertical loads are upward.

Stochastic seismic slope stability assessment using polynomial chaos expansions combined with relevance vector machine

This paper presents probabilistic assessment of seismically-induced slope displacements considering uncertainties of seismic ground motions and soil properties.A stochastic ground motion model representing both the temporal and spectral non-stationarity of earthquake shakings and a three-dimensional rotational failure mechanism are integrated to assess Newmark-type slope displacements.A new probabilistic approach that incorporates machine learning in metamodeling technique is proposed,by combining relevance vector machine with polynomial chaos expansions(RVM-PCE).Compared with other PCE methods,the proposed RVM-PCE is shown to be more effective in estimating failure probabilities.The sensitivity and relative influence of each random input parameter to the slope displacements are discussed.Finally,the fragility curves for slope displacements are established for sitespecific soil conditions and earthquake hazard levels.The results indicate that the slope displacement is more sensitive to the intensities and strong shaking durations of seismic ground motions than the frequency contents,and a critical Arias intensity that leads to the maximum annual failure probabilities can be identified by the proposed approach.

Pseudo-static/dynamic solutions of required reinforcement force for steep slopes using discretization-based kinematic analysis

This paper presents a procedure for assessing the reinforcement force of geosynthetics required for maintaining dynamic stability of a steep soil slope. Such a procedure is achieved with the use of the discretization technique and kinematic analysis of plasticity theory, i.e. discretization-based kinematic analysis. The discretization technique allows discretization of the analyzed slope into various components and generation of a kinematically admissible failure mechanism based on an associated flow rule.Accordingly, variations in soil properties including soil cohesion, internal friction angle and unit weight are accounted for with ease, while the conventional kinematic analysis fails to consider the changes in soil properties. The spatialetemporal effects of dynamic accelerations represented by primary and shear seismic waves are considered using the pseudo-dynamic approach. In the presence of geosynthetic reinforcement, tensile failure is discussed providing that the geosynthetics are installed with sufficient length. Equating the total rates of work done by external forces to the internal rates of work yields the upper bound solution of required reinforcement force, below which slopes fail. The reinforcement force is sought by optimizing the objective function with regard to independent variables, and presented in a normalized form. Pseudo-static analysis is a special case and hence readily transformed from pseudodynamic analysis. Comparisons of the pseudo-static/dynamic solutions calculated in this study are highlighted. Although the pseudo-static approach yields a conservative solution, its ability to give a reasonable result is substantiated for steep slopes. In order to provide a more meaningful solution to a stability analysis, the pseudo-dynamic approach is recommended due to considerations of spatial etemporal effect of earthquake input.

Quantitative Geomorphologic Analysis to Measure Relationships and Changes Between Morphology and Forcing Agents of the Monterey Canyon System

This research compares submarine morphology with seismic reflection profiles as they manifest tectonics in a rapidly transform continental margin (Monterey Bay,California).We study modern submarine processes integrating seismic reflection profiles interpretation,slope stability and liquefaction potential analyses and geomorphic change obtained by using high-resolution multibeam

Simplified Full Dynamic Analysis of a Railway Tunnel in Ethiopia

This paper presents an effective means of analyzing the safety of a tunnel under dynamic loading in areas with seismic records. A particular case of the railway tunnel in the earthquake-prone regions of the escarpment seismic zone of Ethiopia was the specific focus area of the research. Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) and deaggregation have been conducted to determine the design earthquake required as an input for the dynamic analysis. The PSHA performed by considering the operating design earthquake with conservative assumptions of the local geological features resulted in a peak ground acceleration of 0.36. Two pairs of design earthquake have been obtained from the deaggregation process, which were used to filter acceleration time histories for the selected design earthquake from the ground motion database of Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center. Finally, full dynamic analyses of the tunnel have been performed by applying the scaled acceleration time histories corresponding to the structure in the specific site. It was demonstrated how to prove the stability of the tunnel located in difficult ground conditions by performing plane strain analyses with the possible minimum computational efforts.

海啸作用下滨水挡土墙抗震滑动稳定性上限分析

针对沿海地区滨水挡土墙在海啸和地震联合作用下易发生被动破坏的问题,结合极限分析上限法和拟静力法确定地震荷载,研究了海啸作用下滨水挡土墙的抗震滑动稳定性。通过建立墙体滑动与破坏区土楔体整体滑动的墙-土系统及速度容许场,推导出水平地震加速度系数(kh)的表达式。分析了海啸、海平面与地下水高度及墙-地和墙-土摩擦角对地震屈服加速度系数的影响。结果表明,控制地下水位在适当高度并增大墙-土摩擦角可以有效提高滨水挡土墙的抗震滑动稳定性。与经典极限平衡理论相比,该方法考虑了土体的塑性流动及挡土墙的位移模式,且无需计算地震被动土压力的值。

西安国际文化传播中心大跨斜幕墙支承结构设计

西安国际文化传播中心大跨斜幕墙支承采用竖向张弦桁架结构体系,结构造型独特新颖。对其结构选型和受力特点进行了重点介绍。采用MIDAS Gen软件建立有限元模型,进行非线性静力及抗震分析计算,同时采用ANSYS软件对考虑几何与材料双重非线性的结构整体稳定性进行了详细分析,探讨了安全系数取值等。分析结果及实际使用效果表明,幕墙支承满足正常使用的各项要求,并具有良好的抗震性能。

高震区斜坡式护岸的岸坡稳定性分析

对位于菲律宾高震区的某斜坡式护岸结构的岸坡进行稳定性评估,分析国际上主流抗震设计规范,结合该工程的具体设计条件,提出合适的地震岸坡稳定分析方法、稳定标准和分析流程,并采用Newmark法和非线性动力分析对该护岸的震后残余位移进行计算。结果表明:高震区的岸坡稳定分析宜以控制位移为目标,水准1、2地震下的残余位移宜分别不超过5、30 cm;当采用Newmark法计算时宜取其上限位移,而通过非线性动力分析可获得岸坡残余位移和最大剪应变等的分布,从而对地震下的岸坡稳定做更为全面的设计和评估。

重力式挡土墙抗震稳定性检算最不利状态选取探讨

重力式挡土墙整体稳定性检算最不利状态选取对抗震设计有重要影响。针对加速度峰值、墙身外倾峰值、墙顶位移峰值三种典型挡墙抗震危险时刻以及常用“土压力峰值时刻包络”取值方法,以振动台模型试验揭示地震土压力取值结果差异性,基于重力式挡土墙ABAQUS有限元模型地震响应计算,分析各危险时刻墙背土压力取值及整体稳定性检算结果差异,提出抗震稳定性检算最不利状态建议。结果表明:(1)随地面峰值加速度和墙高增加,三种危险时刻地震土压力均呈现从非线性分布向近似正三角图式转化,合力及作用点高度整体上较现行抗震规范分别大49%和18%;(2)峰值包络法因不能反映墙-土运动主/被动状态和地震动传导时延特征,致使墙顶附近土压力取值结果过大,地震土压力合力较危险时刻大一倍且作用点偏高约25%;(3)墙身外倾峰值危险时刻的抗滑移稳定系数较其余两种危险时刻偏小14%~33%,且随地面峰值加速度增大反映出更明显的衰减敏感性,以此作为抗震稳定性检算最不利状态有利于结构安全与经济性协调。

多跨矮塔斜拉桥超高墩合理形式比选

为研究多跨矮塔斜拉桥超高墩合理形式,以多跨矮塔斜拉桥超高墩为对象,综合对比分析超高墩结构布置形式和受力特点,按截面特性相似的原则提出双薄壁墩、单薄壁墩、组合式墩、叠合式墩四种适用于依托工程的超高墩形式。采用全桥有限元和理论方法,分析不同工况下主梁和桥墩关键截面的内力和墩顶位移、施工和成桥运营阶段的稳定性、E1地震作用下的动力及抗震性能。结果表明:四种方案均满足施工阶段和成桥运营阶段下的稳定性要求,双薄壁墩前三阶均为纵向失稳且稳定安全系数变化较小;在E1地震荷载作用下,双薄壁墩内力响应最小,但位移响应较大,单薄壁墩和叠合式墩与之相反,组合式墩则较均衡。考虑结构整体受力性能,建议多跨矮塔斜拉桥超高墩桥梁选用双薄壁墩或组合式墩。

基于波速法的隧道稳定性超前预测

利用地震波纵波速度(V_(p))超前分析隧道围岩的稳定性。首先研究地质强度指标(I)、扰动参数(D)等Hoek-Brown常数与V_(p)之间的关系,然后采用Hoek-Brown准则推导隧道塑性区位移公式,考虑到V_(p)可以从TSP203PLUS中获取围岩的弹性模量、泊松比和V_(p)等一系列参数,最终形成确定隧道塑性区位移的新方法。为证明该方法的有效性,对某隧道进行超前评估,并通过卡斯特纳方程对预测结果进行验证。结果表明,提出的方法计算隧道所得塑性区位移与卡斯特纳方程基本一致,此方法获取的参数更为便捷,具有良好的工程应用前景。

Prediction for Potential Landslide Zones Using Seismic Amplitude in Liwan Gas Field, Northern South China Sea

The Liwan(Lw) gas field located in the northern slope of the South China Sea(SCS) is extremely complex for its seafloor topograghy, which is a huge challenge for the safety of subsea facilities. It is economically impractical to obtain parameters for risk assessment of slope stability through a large amount of sampling over the whole field. The linkage between soil shear strength and seabed peak amplitude derived from 2D/3D seismic data is helpful for understanding the regional slope-instability risk. In this paper, the relationships among seabed peak, acoustic impedance and shear strength of shallow soil in the study area were discussed based on statistical analysis results. We obtained a similar relationship to that obtained in other deep-water areas. There is a positive correlation between seabed peak amplitude and acoustic impedance and an exponential relationship between acoustic impedance and shear strength of sediment. The acoustic impedance is the key factor linking the seismic amplitude and shear strength. Infinite slope stability analysis results indicate the areas have a high potential of shallow landslide on slopes exceeding 15? when the thickness of loose sediments exceeds 8 m in the Lw gas field. Our prediction shows that they are mainly located in the heads and walls of submarine canyons.

基于极限平衡原理的地震边坡浅层和深层耦合滑移分析

边坡地震位移是评价边坡地震稳定性的重要指标,现有的地震位移分析方法主要针对单一滑动面边坡。基于Spencer极限平衡分析原理,提出了一种滑面为非平面的双滑面土质边坡地震位移计算方法。该方法基于考虑惯性力的极限平衡条分法建立双滑面滑块体系在地震过程中的动力平衡方程,考虑地震引起两个滑动面滑移变形过程中浅层和深层滑体之间的相互影响。将研究方法的结果与有限差分软件FLAC的数值模拟结果进行对比,证明了方法描述地震引起边坡浅层和深层耦联滑移变形模式的合理性和正确性;并将建立的方法分别用于分层土堆积层边坡以及川藏俄岗公路老折山边坡,阐明了该方法用于实际双滑面边坡地震位移计算的可行性。