Behavior of straight and step slope under precarious loading
- Vol.53(6), Dec
- USA Springer 2023
- 1373-1391p.
The different factors like seepage, crack, swelling, strain softening, strain localisation, improper boundary conditions etc. exist in the nature which may results in failures of slopes under seismic excitation. The present paper discusses the failure response of straight and one step slope in Himalayan terrain with different inclinations considering soil-slope-structure interaction with the consideration of transmitting boundary under seismic loading conditions. The boundaries have significant importance particularly in seismic area due to risk of development of high stresses in slope mass. The three different boundaries conditions have been emphasised on the finite element slope-structure model for the instability of slope subjected to seismic excitation and varying storey height of building to obtain the response. The impact of boundary conditions on Peak Ground Acceleration, amplification factor, response at slope nodes, slope failure, stress contour has been analysed and suggests that horizontal displacement of slope surface increases with height and inclinations. The results also highlights the importance of step slope with boundary conditions and directs that there is significant decrease in response while considering infinite boundary. Reduction in amplification response with infinite element boundary for G + 3, G + 5 and G + 7 building were found approximately 18%, 8% and 11% respectively for highly precarious slope. It is also observed that the G + 5 building are suitable in high precarious slope of Himalayan terrain. Therefore, it is essential for practicing engineers and designers to assess the role of boundary conditions on soil-slope during the seismic performance of structures with extreme care to ensure more reliable, safe and economical structural design.