Study on dynamic stability of high-steep loess slope considering the effect of buildings

Abstract

Owing to the good strength and stability of loess under dry and static conditions, many buildings in loess areas are built on slopes in western China, i.e., an earthquake-prone area. A phenomenon was discovered in the Minxian-Zhangxian Ms 6.6 earthquake and Jiuzhaigou Ms 7.0 earthquake, that is, the damage to the buildings on the top of the slope was more serious than that on the horizontal site, and the damage was more serious the closer to the slope. Based on the above research background, this study analyzes the dynamic response law of high-steep loess slopes under building and seismic loads. A numerical analysis and shaking table model test method is used to analyze the dynamic response laws of the high-steep loess slope under building load and seismic load, to thereby enable a discussion regarding the safety distance for buildings on the top of the slope. The results of the model test and numerical simulation reveal the failure mechanisms and typical failure characteristics of a high-steep loess slope coupled with a building load and seismic load. When the distance between the top building and the slope surface is greater than 0.7 times the slope height, the influence on the dynamic stability of the slope from the distance effect of the building on the top of the slope and the amplification effect of the free surface of the slope will be reduced.