Shaking Table Modeling of Seismically Induced Deformations in Slopes
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 131, Issue 5
Abstract
Physical model experiments were performed on a shaking table with the principal goals of: (1) investigating the mechanisms of seismically induced permanent deformations in slopes, and (2) assessing the accuracy and applicability of the Newmark sliding block procedure for estimating seismically induced deformations in slopes. Each of the clayey slope models deformed in response to strong shaking, with the principal mode of deformation being deep rotational/translational sliding displacement. Deformations were principally focused along one or more highly localized shear surfaces, though a significant amount of additional deformation was also distributed over a relatively wide region of the models. The Newmark analyses generally provided moderately accurate, although somewhat unconservative, estimates of deformations. Displacements computed using the rigid sliding block analysis ranged from 27 to 225% of maximum measured displacements, and averaged about 75% of measured displacements for the test series. The Newmark-type analyses were most reliable for those model tests that experienced large deformations, where the sliding resistance was controlled principally by postpeak to residual strengths.
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Acknowledgments
The California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) provided financial support for this work under research Grant No. RTA-59A130-4, and this support is gratefully acknowledged. GeoSyntec Consultants provided the software YSLIP̱PM that was used in the analyses. The views and conclusions expressed in this document are those of the writers and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing those of either CALTRANS or the software provider. The thoughtful comments of several anonymous reviewers are appreciated.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 131 • Issue 5 • May 2005
Pages: 610 - 622
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Dec 23, 2003
Accepted: May 21, 2004
Published online: May 1, 2005
Published in print: May 2005
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