Seismic response of a layered slope with bedrock reinforced by anchored sheet-pile walls and frame beams in shaking table test

The paper researches seismic characteristics of a high-steep layered slope reinforced with anchored sheet-pile walls and frame beams through shaking table tests. Two groups of shaking table tests were conducted, Group 1 was a natural slope and Group 2 was corresponding reinforcement slope. Acceleration response and deformation of both slopes were compared. Frequency-domain features of pile acceleration and earth pressure were analyzed. The seismic damage and failure mode of both slopes were revealed through the marginal spectrum and failure process of the slope. The results indicate deformations of the layered slope can be divided into three stages: the elastic deformation‒the elastic-plastic deformation‒the plastic deformation. The anchored sheet-pile walls and frame beams restrict slope deformation, reduce seismic inertia effect and enhance the seismic stability of slope. The positive acceleration amplification factors of slopes exhibit a significant elevation amplification effect, while the negative acceleration amplification factors of slopes decrease with seismic magnitude, resulting in a “truncation” phenomenon along slope height. Low-frequency earthquake energy plays a dominant role in dynamic response of the anchored sheet-pile walls during seismic events. The slope marginal spectrum and negative acceleration response can serve as a basis for assessing occurrence of sliding failure in layered slopes. The study provides a reference for seismic optimization design of high-steep layered slopes with bedrock.