Dynamic behavior of slope models with various slope inclinations

The regulatory guide for the seismic design of nuclear power reactor facilities in Japan was revised in 2006. The guide requires the facilities to be designed to withstand earthquakes, taking into consideration slope collapses that can be expected to occur around such facilities. Although these requirements were included in the previous edition of the guide, definite specifications are given in the new edition. This has made the study of the stability of slopes subjected to earthquakes more important. This paper describes the dynamic behavior of slope models based on the findings of experimental and analytical investigations. In the experimental investigation, a series of shaking table tests was conducted using slope models with various inclinations. The feature of the present experimental investigation was to use an image processor to precisely measure the dynamic shear strain of the models when shaken. In the analytical investigation, Newmark’s sliding block analysis was used to assess the validity of the test results. The sliding block analyses of the slope models were based on the results of stability and displacement analyses with the assumption of a circular slip surface. The results of the analyses are used to propose a method for evaluating the stability of rock slopes.