Shaking table experiment on seismic response of a three-stage slope supported by anchoring lattice beam

Multi-stage anchoring lattice beam is widely used to support high slope in high earthquake intensity area, while the seismic behavior and interaction are not very clear. The previous studies mainly focused on a single-stage slope, while the analysis of multi-stage effect on the seismic response of anchoring lattice beam is lacking. Subsequently, a shaking table experiment was carried out to investigate the dynamic characteristics and seismic responses of a three-stage slope supported by an anchoring lattice beam. The displacement mode and the residual displacement are observed by Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technology. Kobe and Landers ground motions were input in shaking table test with an increasing order of shaking intensity. The original Kobe motion was applied at the last sequence to investigate the effect of frequency characteristic of ground motion. The results show that the acceleration response increases nonlinearly along the height of three-stage slope, and a reduction of acceleration response is observed at platform. The energy within a frequency band close to natural frequency of three-stage slope is especially amplified. The anchor takes more responsibility to resist the seismic loading, and decreases the earth pressure behind lattice beam. By setting multiple stages, the acceleration amplification and seismic earth pressure are reduced effectively. The intensity and the frequency characteristic of seismic motion affect the axial strain of anchor. The potential local failure and the frequency characteristic of seismic motion are suggested to be considered in seismic design.