Seismic Response of a Steep Nailed Soil Slope: Shaking Table Test and Numerical Studies

Abstract

The shaking table test was conducted on a steep nailed soil slope having slope angle of 80° to understand its seismic behavior. The earthquake excitation was carried out along the axial direction of the model slope using the input time history, i.e., the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The displacement and acceleration responses of the slopes and the nail forces along the length of nails were recorded. Finite element analysis was also performed on the same model slope to examine its response. A prototype nailed soil slope having slope angle of 80° was also prepared using finite element method which was subjected to the 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake. A comparison has been made between the results obtained from prototype slope and the model slope. This has been done to examine the applicability of shaking table tests on model slope to the real field conditions and to ascertain the same under Indian earthquake condition. A combination of translation and rocking movement is found in the model slope. The maximum nail force has been found toward the farther end of each of the nails from slope facing both in case of prototype and model slopes.