Seismic Response of Soil Slopes in Shaking Table Tests: Effect of Type and Quantity of Reinforcement

Abstract

To study the effect of reinforcement type and quantity on the response of model slopes in this study, a series of shaking table tests were carried out on model slopes reinforced with different quantities of geotextile and geogrid. Model slopes were constructed to an angle of 45° using poorly graded sand. Acceleration of base shaking and shaking frequency were varied in different tests. The response of model soil slopes is compared in terms of the acceleration amplifications and horizontal displacements of the slope measured at different elevations. Results from these model tests revealed that the acceleration amplifications were slightly lesser in case of geogrid reinforced slopes because of higher interfacial friction of cohesionless soil with the geogrid. Acceleration amplifications were not affected by varying the quantity of reinforcement. However, horizontal displacements reduced drastically with the inclusion of reinforcement. Though the difference was not substantial, geotextile reinforced slopes were more effective in reducing the deformations compared to geogrid reinforced slopes. With the increase in the quantity of reinforcement, deformations decreased linearly, until reinforcement saturation occurred, beyond which the rate of decrease of deformations was less.