Factor of Safety in Slopes under Earthquake Loading

Abstract

Earthquake induced ground shaking is one of the most recurrent causes of slope instabilities that might be leading to landslides. In the present research, a representative clayey slope is analysed. Empirical methods such as Newmark method, and Makdisi Seed method, are considered for the determination of the maximum deformation in a slope under dynamic loading. Stress deformation methods using finite element techniques are also used to estimate slope deformations under same conditions. A relation is established between the yield acceleration, the cohesion of soil and the slope angle. Then, the evolution of the dynamic factor of safety is analysed in terms of the yield acceleration of the slope. A procedure is developed to establish a relation between slope deformation and dynamic factor of safety. Curves linking the factor of safety to yield acceleration are established for different values of cohesion and friction angle of soil.