Seismic stability analysis of soil nail reinforced slope using kinematic approach of limit analysis

Prediction of the critical seismic yield acceleration coefficient and the seismic permanent displacement of soil nail reinforced slope under seismic loading has been playing an important role in helping design in the earthquake-prone areas. In this paper, the seismic stability of soil nail reinforced slope is analyzed using the kinematic theorem of limit analysis. The log-spiral failure mechanism is considered and the corresponding analytical expressions are derived to calculate the critical seismic yield acceleration coefficient and the permanent displacement of slope subjected to earthquake loading. A series of calculations are carried out to illustrate the influence of inertial force on the stability of a nail-reinforced slope. Parametric studies indicate that the strength and geometry of slope as well as characteristic parameters of soil nail have a significant effect on the critical seismic yield acceleration coefficient and the permanent displacement of soil nail reinforced slope.