Static and seismic stability investigation of a bamboo grid reinforced slope with different stepped reinforcing arrangements

Abstract

Bamboo is primarily used as a soil reinforcement material to build roadways and stabilize slopes and river banks. The current study aims to examine how bamboo grid reinforcing slopes behave in the form of various stepped reinforcing arrangements. The static and seismic characteristics of a slope reinforced with a bamboo grid were examined through 3D numerical analyses employing the finite element program MIDAS GTS NX (340) 2023 v1.1. In this study, the Strength Reduction Method (SRM), a crucial technique in finite element analysis, is utilized to compute the factor of safety and displacement in static stability analysis. Seismic stability analysis is conducted using non-linear time history analysis, examining the changes in critical slope parameters in response to seismic excitation. Three distinct arrangements of bamboo grids were employed to enhance slope stability. Static stability analysis, considering the factor of safety and deformation, was conducted for various bamboo grid-reinforced slope arrangements. Additionally, a comprehensive seismic analysis was performed specifically for the type 2 bamboo grid reinforcement arrangement, using the seismic record from the 1971 San Fernando Down earthquake. The safety factor increases by 52.10%, 68.67%, and 62.65% for type 1, 2, and 3 arrangements, respectively, compared to the unreinforced slope. Consequently, the type 2 bamboo grid-reinforced slope arrangement exhibits superior stability in terms of the safety factor. The lateral displacement of the type 2 arrangement is minimal compared to other types. Furthermore, a bamboo grid-reinforced slope with a vertical spacing of 1.5 m demonstrates less deformation than slopes with different vertical spacings. The seismic stability of the slope body surpasses other sections of the bamboo grid-reinforced slope.