Seismic behavior of slopes by lower bound dynamic shakedown theory

Lower bound dynamic shakedown theory is a limit state method. It is employed herein to investigate the safety, which is associated with permanent displacement, of slopes under repeated dynamic loads, mainly earthquakes. An efficient numerical method, previously applied to the static shakedown of pavements, is extended to the dynamic shakedown of slopes in this study. It is shown that dynamic shakedown, unlike other limit state methods, is able to consider the dynamic properties of both the load and subsoil. The effect of the soil strength parameters and dynamic features of the soil and loads are examined thoroughly and some illustrative examples are employed. The short-term and long-term behavior of slopes under seismic loads are studied as well, comparing results of the present study with the well-known displacement method of Newmark.

► Seismic stability of slopes was evaluated by lower bound dynamic shakedown method.
► Dynamic properties of load and soil greatly affect the shakedown limit of slopes.
► Slopes in soft soils are safer than those in stiff soils in terms of shakedown behavior.
► Slopes with higher internal friction angle may have lower shakedown safety factor.
► Slopes may be stable against major earthquakes but fail under repeated minor earthquakes.