Stochastic seismic response of a slope based on large-scale shaking-table tests

Abstract

Slopes should be regarded as stochastic dynamic systems when investigating the uncertainty of ground motions. In engineering, this involves the propagation and spatial evolution of physical quantities (e.g., acceleration) that can be assessed with some probability. More specifically, stochastic stability and amplification effects are important issues under random seismic inputs. In studying the above, a large-scale shaking-table test is carried out to investigate the slope seismic response under random earthquake ground motions, where 144 ground-motion samples are generated using a time-evolution power spectrum model. In this test, acceleration evolves in a way that its PDF changes with time and space. In the time domain, the PDF variability first increases and then decreases with the progression of the earthquake. In the spatial domain, the PDF variability increases upslope, indicating that the mean and standard deviation of amplification factors increase with elevation. Moreover, the stability of the upper part of the slope stochastic dynamic system is poor. Meanwhile, the de-amplification effect of the slope toe is identified under random seismic inputs. Finally, we discuss different amplification factors and consider applications of the research results in slope engineering.