Antiseismic stability of soil dam embankments

Abstract

At present, economic reasons and the high development of technological knowledge lead to the construction of structures with low factors of safety. This makes it necessary to have accurate knowledge of the real bebaviour of the materials. This problem is of special importance when the seismic factor intervenes. In recent years it has become common practice to analyse the stability of soil embankments located in seismic zones, using the seismic factor in conjunction with the surface sliding method. Taking into account that existing methods of analysis lead to varying factors of safety, and that safety factor one is the lowest acceptable when there is a seismic effect, it will be obvious that more accurate methods are now essential. This paper includes: a) A description of the most recent methods at present in use. Special attention has been given to more accurate methods, which take account of intergranular forces action on the lateral faces of the various wedges into which the sliding mass is divided. b) An analytical solution suggested by the author. c) Solutions involving the seismic effect, applicable to all above mentioned methods. d) Brief comments on the various methods. e) Numerical application to a typical embankment.