Dynamic Response of Sandy Slope Under Coupling of Earthquake and Groundwater

Based on dynamic elastic–plastic time history analysis method, dynamic responses of sandy slope in different groundwater levels are studied under near field earthquakes and far field earthquakes. The results show that the accelerations of the slope decrease with the increasing of groundwater levels, which demonstrates that the existence of groundwater damps vibration. The accelerations have different laws along the height of the slope under far field and near field earthquakes, however, the maximum values all appear at the top of the slope. The maximum horizontal displacement of the slope increases with the increasing of groundwater levels. The influence of far field earthquake on the deformation of slope toe is greater, while the influence of near field earthquake on the deformation of the slope top is greater. Thus, the top and the toe of the slope should be protected as the key position under earthquakes. The influence of high groundwater level on stability of the slope is more serious, and the safety factor calculated by pseudo-static method in slope seismic code will be lower for the slope in the high groundwater level.