Continuum and discrete element coupling approach to analyzing seismic responses of a slope covered by deposits

Abstract

Numerical analyses of earthquake effects on the deformation, stability, and load transfer of a slope covered by deposits are traditionally based on the assumption that the slope is a continuum. It would be problematic, however, to extend these approaches to the simulation of the slide, collapse and disintegration of the deposits under seismic loading. Contrary to this, a discrete element method (DEM) provides a means to consider large displacement and rotation of the non-continuum. To take the advantages of both methods of continuum and non-continuum analyses, seismic responses of a slope covered by deposits are studied by coupling a two-dimensional (2-D) finite difference method and a 2-D DEM, with the bedrock being modelled by the finite difference grids and the deposits being represented by disks. A smooth transition across the boundaries of the continuous/discontinuous domains is obtained by imposing the compatibility condition and equilibrium condition along their interfaces. In the course of computation, the same time-step value is chosen for both continuous and discontinuous domains. The free-field boundaries are adopted for lateral grids of bedrock domain to eliminate the radiation damping effect. When the static equilibrium under gravity load is obtained, dynamic calculation begins under excitation of the seismic wave input from the continuum model bottom. In this way, responses to the earthquake of a slope covered by deposits are analyzed dynamically. Combined with field monitoring data, deformation and stability of the slope are discussed. The effects of the relevant parameters of spectrum characteristic, duration, and peak acceleration of seismic waves are further investigated and explained from the simulations.