Dynamic stability analysis of anchored anti-dip slope under the Ludian earthquake: a case study of the Manhekuan slope, Yunnan, China

A quantitative assessment of the seismic stability of anchored anti-dip slopes is of great importance for the safety of residents and infrastructure in seismically active regions. However, the subject has received relatively little scientific attention globally. This study aims to analyze the dynamic stability of an anchored anti-dip slope during the Ludian earthquake in Yunnan Province, China, a region characterized by active faults and frequent strong earthquakes. The Manhekuan slope located near the Lancang River fault, an active fault in Yunnan Province, was chosen as a case study to propose a method that integrates engineering geological investigations with the discrete element method (DEM). To validate its effectiveness, the proposed method is compared with the pseudo-static method and subsequently applied to optimize the anchorage parameters of the Manhekuan slope. The results indicate that the stability factor achieved by the proposed method is slightly higher than that of the pseudo-static method, showing a 3.6% increase. The proposed method effectively describes the shear evolution characteristics of the anchor cable and its influence on the seismic dynamic stability of the anchored anti-dip slope. The dynamic stability of the Manhekuan slope under the Ludian earthquake is reasonably analyzed using three indices: stability factor, geological body displacement, and anchorage force. This analysis leads to the determination of optimal anchorage parameters for the Manhekuan slope. The findings provide a valuable reference for evaluating the seismic stability of anchored slope engineering in seismically active regions, including the Himalayas.