Seismic characteristics of a high-steep slope with bedrock reinforced by the anchored sheet-pile wall and frame beam in shaking table tests

Abstract

The paper investigates the failure mode and reinforcement efficacy of a high-steep slope reinforced with anchored sheet-pile walls and frame beams (APFB). Two sets of shaking table tests were conducted on the natural and reinforcement slope. Considering post-rainfall earthquake conditions, the rainfall was applied first, followed by seismic loads. Acceleration amplification factor (AAF) and deformation of both slopes were analyzed. Additionally, the Fourier spectrum of slope accelerations were studied. The failure mechanism of both slopes was studied through shaking table tests and numerical simulation. The tests reveal a tension-shear failure mode for both slopes, characterized by three stages in the failure process: small deformation stage, local failure stage, and large deformation stage. Considerable deformation was observed in the section of slope above the upper part of both slopes, serving as the slide section and exhibiting tension failure. Conversely, the slope foot acts as the anti-slide section, exhibiting shear failure. The soil strength decreases as water content increases, leading to a higher likelihood of local failure during post-rainfall earthquakes. The AAF increases with seismic magnitude and frequency, exhibiting “height effect” and “surface effect”. The APFB attenuates high-frequency components of seismic loads, demonstrating a clear high-frequency filtering effect. Furthermore, the APFB restricts slope deformation and reduces seismic inertia effects, thereby enhancing overall slope stability.