Seismic stability analysis of reinforced slopes

Ausilio, Ernesto; Conte, Enrico; Dente, Giovanni

doi:10.1016/s0267-7261(00)00005-1

Cited by 116 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Relatively few, if any, studies have been performed to investigate the dynamic performance of vegetated slopes during earthquakes, which are a perennial threat to slope stability, in contrast to other more traditional reinforcing elements within slopes such as geosynthetic layers (or 'reinforced earth', e.g. Ausilio et al (2000)) and piles (e.g. Kourkoulis et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling the seismic performance of rooted slopes from individual root–soil interaction to global slope behaviour

Liang¹,

Knappett²,

Duckett³

2015

Géotechnique

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Modelling the seismic performance of rooted slopes from individual root-soil interaction to global slope behaviour T. LIANG Ã , J. A. KNAPPETT Ã and N. DUCKETT † Many natural and man-made slopes are planted with vegetation, and it is known that this can increase the stability of slopes under static conditions. There is anecdotal evidence that vegetated slopes also perform better than fallow slopes during earthquakes. However, the study of the dynamic behaviour of slopes planted with species having dichotomous ('woody') roots is relatively rare owing to the extreme expense and difficulty involved in conducting full-scale dynamic testing on shrubs and trees. In this paper, dynamic centrifuge testing and supporting numerical modelling have been conducted to study this problem. In the centrifuge modelling, ABS plastic rods are used to simulate repeatably the mechanical properties of real roots. The numerical modelling work consisted of two parts. First, a computationally-efficient beam-on-non-linear-Winkler-foundation (BNWF) model using existing p-y formulations from piling engineering was employed to produce a macro-element describing the individual root and soil interaction both pre-and post-failure. By adding contributions from the different root analogues of different diameters, smeared continuum properties were derived that could be included in a fully dynamic, plane-strain continuum, finite-element model in a straightforward way. The BNWF approach was validated against large direct shear tests having stress conditions simulating those in the centrifuge at different potential slip plane depths. The conversion to smeared properties for global time-history analysis of the slope was validated by comparing the continuum finite-element results with the centrifuge test data in terms of both the dynamic response and permanent deformations at the crest, and these demonstrated good agreement. Owing to the simplicity of the BNWF approach and its ability to consider variable root geometries and properties, along with variation of soil properties with depth, it is suggested that the validated approach described will be useful in linking individual root-soil interaction characteristics (root strength and stiffness, diameter variation, root spacing and so on) to global slope behaviour.KEYWORDS: centrifuge modelling; earthquakes; finite-element modelling; numerical modelling; slopes; vegetation INTRODUCTION Vegetation (grasses, shrubs and trees), as an effective and environmentally friendly approach to improving slope stability, improves slope stability mainly through direct mechanical reinforcement of soil and by modifying groundwater conditions by means of evapotranspiration. The net effect of both of these mechanisms is an increase in shear strength within a defined zone around the roots, although only the mechanical effect is present at all times; the hydrological effects potentially disappear following heavy rain. In terms of the direct mechanical effect, many studies have been performed to quantify the increase in soil ...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling the seismic performance of rooted slopes from individual root–soil interaction to global slope behaviour

Liang¹,

Knappett²,

Duckett³

2015

Géotechnique

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“…Equation H/λ is the ratio of time needed for shear waves to pass through the slope height to the period of lateral shaking (T), and H/η is the ratio of time needed for primary waves to pass through the slope height to the period of lateral shaking (T). As stated by AUSILIO et al [13], Eq. (15) provides a lower-bound solution for the reinforcement force necessary to prevent slope failure.…”

Section: Problem Definition and Solutionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…JAHANANDISH and KESHAVARZ [11] developed the slip line method to investigate the seismic bearing capacity of foundations on reinforced soil slopes. MICHALOWSKI [12] and AUSILIO et al [13] used the kinematic approach of limit analysis to compute the reinforcement strength required to prevent failure. Their solutions are based on the associated flow rule.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pseudo-dynamic analysis of seismic stability of reinforced slopes considering non-associated flow rule

Shafiee

2011

J. Cent. South Univ. Technol.

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The required reinforcement force to prevent instability and the yield acceleration of reinforced slopes are computed under seismic loading by applying the kinematic approach of limit analysis in conjunction with the pseudo-dynamic method for a wide range of soil cohesion, friction angle, dilation angle and horizontal and vertical seismic coefficients. Each parameter threatening the stability of the slope enhances the magnitude of the required reinforcement force and vice versa. Moreover, the yield acceleration increases with the increase in soil shear strength parameters but decreases with the increase in the slope angle. The comparison of the present work with some of the available solutions in the literatures shows a reasonable agreement.

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“…Many studies are reported in the literature regarding the seismic stability analysis of geosynthetics-reinforced soil structures based on a pseudo-static limit equilibrium analysis (Bathurst and Cai 1995;Ling et al 1997;Ling and Leshchinsky 1998;Ismeik and Guler 1998;Basha and Basudhar 2005). Ausilio et al (2000) conducted a pseudo static seismic stability analysis of geosynthetic reinforced slopes applying the kinematic theory of limit analysis assuming different failure modes like rotation, translation and direct sliding and linear slip surface considering only horizontal seismic acceleration coefficients. Caltabiano et al (2000) conducted pseudo-static methods for the computation of soil thrust acting on the retaining walls under seismic condition by employing planar failure mechanism.…”

Section: Pseudo-static Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%