Large-scale shaking table test on seismic behaviour of anti-slide pile-reinforced bridge foundation and gravel landslide: a case study

Abstract

This study aimed to illustrate the seismic response and instability process of a double-row anti-slide pile-reinforced bridge foundation and gravel landslide. Selecting the gravel slope of Jiuzhai Valley along the under-construction Chengdu-Lanzhou high-speed railway as the site prototype, large-scale shaking table tests were first conducted at a similitude ratio of 1:70, with sine waves and El Centro waves as the seismic wave inputs. The amplitudes of the input seismic waves were increased, while the acceleration, dynamic earth pressure, and strain distribution were monitored in the gravel landslide. The dynamic response patterns of anti-slide pile-reinforced bridge foundations in gravel landslides were illustrated. The front-row and back-row anti-slide piles should be a reasonable distance from the bridge foundation. The response acceleration manifested an elevation amplification effect with an increasing elevation in the slope behind the anti-slide piles. Back-row anti-slide piles reinforcing the bridge foundation can reduce the effect of landslide thrust on the bridge foundation and maintain a uniform distribution of earth pressure behind the bridge foundation, mitigating seismic effects. The dynamic earth pressure peaked at the top of the bridge foundation and then decreased along the depth. The back-row anti-slide piles displayed greater resonance coupling and unloading effects before and after reaching the load-carrying limit, respectively. In seismic strengthening design involving bridge foundations and gravel landslides, when the earthquake-induced resonance coupling effect on inclined, loosely packed land masses is fully considered, pre-reinforcement measures (e.g., high-pressure grouting and anchor spraying) should be carried out on the gravel slopes.