Analysis of the Impact of Earthquakes on the Stability of Overlying Fill Slopes

Abstract

AbstractEarthquakes are one of the main factors causing landslides. In this paper, the author conducted a numerical simulation of an overlying fill slope in Guangxi, the subject, with Midas GTS under the vibration conditions of magnitude 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, and 8 earthquakes and obtained the total, horizontal and vertical displacement of the slope and its stability coefficient. The results showed that the displacement of the slope increased with the increase of the seismic acceleration; its maximum displacement occurred in the middle of the slope (fill); the difference of the maximum horizontal displacement from the total displacement and vertical displacement was that as the seismic acceleration increased, the maximum horizontal displacement occurred not only in the middle of the slope (fill), but also at the top and on the middle and upper surfaces; the vertical displacement was most susceptible, while the horizontal displacement was least susceptible; as the magnitude increased, the stability coefficient of the slope also decreased significantly; and, vegetation planting on the slope and the setup of a retaining wall at the foot could improve its stability coefficient effectively. Therefore, it was necessary to plant vegetation on a slope and set up a retaining wall at the foot.