Stability and displacement analysis of interlayered soft-hard slopes under seismic loading

Abstract The stability and displacement response of soft-hard interbedded slopes under seismic loading are crucial in seismic geotechnical engineering. This study investigates the dynamic behavior of slopes composed of alternating hard and soft rock layers using FLAC3D with a Mohr–Coulomb constituti...

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Main Authors: Chuxiang Feng, Yong Yin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03584-6
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author Chuxiang Feng
Yong Yin
author_facet Chuxiang Feng
Yong Yin
author_sort Chuxiang Feng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The stability and displacement response of soft-hard interbedded slopes under seismic loading are crucial in seismic geotechnical engineering. This study investigates the dynamic behavior of slopes composed of alternating hard and soft rock layers using FLAC3D with a Mohr–Coulomb constitutive model and the strength reduction method. Through a series of numerical simulations involving varying seismic intensities (0.1 g, 0.3 g, 0.5 g) and structural parameters such as slope angle, dip angle, rock strength ratio, and soft-hard thickness ratio, the effects on slope stability and displacement were analyzed. Under static conditions, the calculated safety factor (Fs) ranged from 1.69 to 6.42 across 15 slope models. Simulation results revealed that as the strength parameter k and hard-rock proportion increased, slope stability improved. Under dynamic loading, the safety factor showed a decreasing trend with increasing seismic acceleration. For example, in No.5 model, the safety factor decreased from 6.42 (static) to 4.86 (0.1 g), 3.21 (0.3 g), and 2.10 (0.5 g). Displacement time histories showed that horizontal displacements increased significantly with seismic intensity, with Point E recording a peak horizontal displacement exceeding 0.2 m under 0.5 g. Meanwhile, vertical displacement differentiated between slope top uplift and foot settlement, indicating interlayer shear-slip behavior. The results provide theoretical support for seismic-resistant design of interbedded rock slopes, emphasizing the need for enhanced support in high-intensity earthquake zones.
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spelling doaj-art-c89166aa4e0b49baac94f0461b79c7612025-08-20T03:10:35ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-06-0115111810.1038/s41598-025-03584-6Stability and displacement analysis of interlayered soft-hard slopes under seismic loadingChuxiang Feng0Yong Yin1Dundee International Institute of Central South University, Central South UniversitySchool of Civil Engineering, Central South UniversityAbstract The stability and displacement response of soft-hard interbedded slopes under seismic loading are crucial in seismic geotechnical engineering. This study investigates the dynamic behavior of slopes composed of alternating hard and soft rock layers using FLAC3D with a Mohr–Coulomb constitutive model and the strength reduction method. Through a series of numerical simulations involving varying seismic intensities (0.1 g, 0.3 g, 0.5 g) and structural parameters such as slope angle, dip angle, rock strength ratio, and soft-hard thickness ratio, the effects on slope stability and displacement were analyzed. Under static conditions, the calculated safety factor (Fs) ranged from 1.69 to 6.42 across 15 slope models. Simulation results revealed that as the strength parameter k and hard-rock proportion increased, slope stability improved. Under dynamic loading, the safety factor showed a decreasing trend with increasing seismic acceleration. For example, in No.5 model, the safety factor decreased from 6.42 (static) to 4.86 (0.1 g), 3.21 (0.3 g), and 2.10 (0.5 g). Displacement time histories showed that horizontal displacements increased significantly with seismic intensity, with Point E recording a peak horizontal displacement exceeding 0.2 m under 0.5 g. Meanwhile, vertical displacement differentiated between slope top uplift and foot settlement, indicating interlayer shear-slip behavior. The results provide theoretical support for seismic-resistant design of interbedded rock slopes, emphasizing the need for enhanced support in high-intensity earthquake zones.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03584-6Soft-hard interbedded slopeSeismic stabilityStrength reduction methodFLAC3D simulationDisplacement analysisDynamic response
spellingShingle Chuxiang Feng
Yong Yin
Stability and displacement analysis of interlayered soft-hard slopes under seismic loading
Scientific Reports
Soft-hard interbedded slope
Seismic stability
Strength reduction method
FLAC3D simulation
Displacement analysis
Dynamic response
title Stability and displacement analysis of interlayered soft-hard slopes under seismic loading
title_full Stability and displacement analysis of interlayered soft-hard slopes under seismic loading
title_fullStr Stability and displacement analysis of interlayered soft-hard slopes under seismic loading
title_full_unstemmed Stability and displacement analysis of interlayered soft-hard slopes under seismic loading
title_short Stability and displacement analysis of interlayered soft-hard slopes under seismic loading
title_sort stability and displacement analysis of interlayered soft hard slopes under seismic loading
topic Soft-hard interbedded slope
Seismic stability
Strength reduction method
FLAC3D simulation
Displacement analysis
Dynamic response
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03584-6
work_keys_str_mv AT chuxiangfeng stabilityanddisplacementanalysisofinterlayeredsofthardslopesunderseismicloading
AT yongyin stabilityanddisplacementanalysisofinterlayeredsofthardslopesunderseismicloading