Seismic performance of loess-mudstone slope in Tianshui – Centrifuge model tests and numerical analysis

Abstract Dynamic behavior and failure mechanism of slope during earthquake are hot topics in geotechnical engineering community. In Tianshui area, Northwest of China, the deformation features of loess-mudstone slopes induced by earthquakes are still not well understood. The current study aims to discuss the dynamic behavior of the slope under earthquake, by performing a series of centrifuge shaking table tests and numerical simulations. The results are processed for PGA amplificatory effect study and to evaluate the earthquake induced deformation mechanism. Better agreement is obtained between the results of numerical simulations and centrifuge tests. The results indicated that the acceleration response of the loess-mudstone slope showed several amplifying characteristic: the height effect, lithologic effect and surface effect. It also proves that the displacements in the loess layer are much larger than mudstone. As the input amplitude increased, the shear plastic zone developed along a further slide surface. Tension plastic zone mainly occurred at the crest. Roughly, the regions of earthquake induced deformation state increased with the increase in amplitude of earthquake wave. Deformations occurred at the upper part of the slope. Tensile cracks evolved on the crest and the upper part of slope in loess layer, moreover, failures occurred at slope surface, and only slight deformation at slope toe. Deformations with continuous shear cracks and slope surface upheavals developed at the middle part of slope.

[1]  S. Martino,et al.  Evidences of landslide earthquake triggering due to self-excitation process , 2011 .

[2]  G. Madhavi Latha,et al.  Effect of frequency on seismic response of reinforced soil slopes in shaking table tests , 2013 .

[3]  A. Pasuto,et al.  Monitoring, numerical modelling and hazard mitigation of the Moscardo landslide (Eastern Italian Alps) , 2012 .

[4]  S. Jocković,et al.  Simplified method for generating slope seismic deformation hazard curve , 2015 .

[5]  Runqiu Huang,et al.  Analysis of an anti-dip landslide triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China , 2013, Natural Hazards.

[6]  S. Martino,et al.  The interaction of seismic waves with step-like slopes and its influence on landslide movements , 2012 .

[7]  John Egan,et al.  Practical applications of a nonlinear approach to analysis of earthquake-induced liquefaction and deformation of earth structures , 2006 .

[8]  Lijun Deng,et al.  Centrifuge modeling of a dry sandy slope response to earthquake loading , 2008 .

[9]  Evidence of complex site effects and soil non-linearity numerically estimated by 2D vs 1D seismic response analyses in the city of Xanthi , 2016 .

[10]  C. Ventura,et al.  Site characterization at Chilean strong-motion stations: Comparison of downhole and microtremor shear-wave velocity methods , 2015 .

[11]  Huiming Tang,et al.  Seismic performance of loess-mudstone slope by centrifuge tests , 2017, Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment.

[12]  J. Lysmer,et al.  Finite Element Method Accuracy for Wave Propagation Problems , 1973 .

[13]  Maria Rossella Massimino,et al.  Physical modelling of shaking table tests on dynamic soil–foundation interaction and numerical and analytical simulation , 2013 .

[14]  Masahiro Chigira,et al.  Geological and geomorphological precursors of the Chiu-fen-erh-shan landslide triggered by the Chi-chi earthquake in central Taiwan , 2003 .

[15]  Meei-Ling Lin,et al.  Initiation and displacement of landslide induced by earthquake — a study of shaking table model slope test , 2011 .

[16]  Malcolm D. Bolton,et al.  Evaluation of landslide triggering mechanisms in model fill slopes , 2004 .

[17]  D. Karamitros,et al.  Insight into the seismic response of earth dams with an emphasis on seismic coefficient estimation , 2014 .

[18]  S. Martino,et al.  Application of a characteristic periods-based (CPB) approach to estimate earthquake-induced displacements of landslides through dynamic numerical modelling , 2016 .

[19]  Valentin Gischig,et al.  On the seismic response of deep-seated rock slope instabilities — Insights from numerical modeling , 2015 .

[20]  J. Z. Zhu,et al.  The finite element method , 1977 .

[21]  Wai-Fah Chen,et al.  Seismic Displacements in Slopes by Limit Analysis , 1984 .

[22]  Lei He,et al.  Influence of lixiviation by irrigation water on residual shear strength of weathered red mudstone in Northwest China: Implication for its role in landslides' reactivation , 2012 .

[23]  Spg Madabhushi,et al.  Tension in geomembranes on landfill slopes under static and earthquake loading – centrifuge study , 2007 .

[24]  J. Facciorusso,et al.  The 2012 Emilia earthquake (Italy): Geotechnical characterization and ground response analyses of the paleo-Reno river levees , 2016 .

[25]  D. K. Keefer,et al.  Toward the next generation of research on earthquake-induced landslides: Current issues and future challenges , 2011 .

[26]  Hugo A. Loáiciga,et al.  Groundwater and earthquakes: Screening analysis for slope stability , 2015 .

[27]  S. Martino,et al.  The role of the seismic trigger in the Calitri landslide (Italy): historical reconstruction and dynamic analysis , 2005 .

[28]  Timothy D. Stark,et al.  Permanent seismic deformation analysis of a landslide , 2005 .

[29]  T. Asch,et al.  Modelling the erosional susceptibility of landslide catchments in thick loess: Chinese variations on a theme by Jan de Ploey , 1995 .

[30]  S. Martino,et al.  Widespread landslides induced by the Mw 5.1 earthquake of 11 May 2011 in Lorca, SE Spain , 2012 .

[31]  B. Kutter,et al.  Static and seismic stability of sensitive clay slopes , 2015 .

[32]  Y Nakamura,et al.  A METHOD FOR DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS ESTIMATION OF SUBSURFACE USING MICROTREMOR ON THE GROUND SURFACE , 1989 .

[33]  Huiming Tang,et al.  Dynamics stress–strain behavior of Tianshui soils , 2017, Landslides.

[34]  A. Hussain,et al.  Analysis of earthquake-triggered failure mechanisms of slopes and sliding surfaces , 2010 .

[35]  Nicholas Sitar,et al.  Topographic effects on the seismic response of steep slopes , 1997, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America.

[36]  Ping Sun,et al.  Landslide hazards triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, Sichuan, China , 2009 .

[37]  Huiming Tang,et al.  Rock toppling failure mode influenced by local response to earthquakes , 2016, Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment.

[38]  Ga Zhang,et al.  Centrifuge model test study on pile reinforcement behavior of cohesive soil slopes under earthquake conditions , 2014, Landslides.

[39]  S. K. Sarma.  Seismic stability of earth dams and embankments , 1975 .

[40]  H B Seed,et al.  EARTHQUAKE-INDUCED DISPLACEMENTS IN SAND EMBANKMENTS , 1966 .

[41]  Meei-Ling Lin,et al.  Seismic slope behavior in a large-scale shaking table model test , 2006 .

[42]  John Coggan,et al.  Developments in the characterization of complex rock slope deformation and failure using numerical modelling techniques , 2006 .

[43]  S. Martino,et al.  A Parametric Numerical Study of the Interaction between Seismic Waves and Landslides for the Evaluation of the Susceptibility to Seismically Induced Displacements , 2013 .