On the seismic stability and critical slip surface of reinforced slopes

Seismic stability of reinforced slopes is investigated using Horizontal Slice Method within the framework of the pseudo-static force. These introduced by constant horizontal or vertical inertial forces and the equilibrium equations for all forces applied to each horizontal slice are considered. A new procedure is introduced which could determine the location and shape of failure surface. The slip surface is a multiplanar surface consisting of a number of inclined linear segments interconnected with various lengths and angles in a plane. The amount of reinforcement forces is used as the objective function in the optimization procedure to determine the shape and location of the critical slip surface. This approach is relatively simple and yields results which are in good agreement with previous findings. Final results revealed that with increase in horizontal seismic acceleration, the reinforcements force increases. With increase in slope angle, the failure surface changes from curve to planar shape.