Soil Suffusion under the Dual Threat of Rainfall and Seismic Vibration

Abstract

This paper employs the systematic literature review (SLR) methodology to investigate the combined effects of seismic vibrations and rainfall on soil suffusion, a process leading to soil instability. Earthquake activity can accelerate soil liquefaction, exacerbating suffusion, while heavy rainfall can increase soil weight, inducing instability. Consequently, the repercussions of seismic activity and rainfall on suffusion may induce further damage and instability to civil infrastructure. The review reveals that the compound impact of rainfall and seismic vibrations can precipitate severe damage and instability, primarily through two mechanisms. First, earthquakes can catalyze soil liquefaction, inciting soil movement and amplifying the suffusion process. Second, heavy rainfall can saturate the soil, augmenting its weight and rendering it unstable, thereby inducing suffusion. However, the review also reveals a significant gap in understanding and mitigating suffusion triggered by simultaneous rainfall and seismic activity. Current techniques for identifying and mitigating such suffusion are inadequate, highlighting the need for further research. This review posits that the interaction of rainfall and seismic vibrations as a catalyst for soil suffusion demands additional scrutiny. It provides a comprehensive understanding of suffusion and the impact of rainfall and seismic vibrations on suffusive soils, serving as a basis for future studies on this important issue.

Seismic Performance of Reinforced Concrete Bridge in Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak under the Influence of Seismic Loadings

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Assessing the Seismic Resilience of a Reinforced Concrete Bridge in Sibu, Sarawak: A Finite Element Analysis Approach

“…These seismic events pose a significant threat to the structural integrity and functionality of bridges, thereby impacting the safety of transportation networks and communities. Earthquakes, characterized by their unpredictability and inevitability, have been documented to affect human life, infrastructure, and economic development significantly [1,2]. The increasing incidence of seismic events and their consequential impacts have heightened concerns regarding the robustness and resilience of structures and their components when exposed to seismic hazards [3][4][5].…”