To adapt to higher and steeper slope environments, this paper proposes a new type of support structure called an anchored frame pile. The study designed and conducted a series of shaking table tests with three-way loading. The acceleration field of the slope, bedrock and overburden layer vibration variability, Fourier spectra, pile dynamic earth pressure, anchor cable force, and damage were analyzed in detail. The results indicate that the overall effectiveness of anchored frame piles for slope reinforcement is superior, and the synergistic impact of front and back piles is evident. Anchor cables effectively reduce the variability of bedrock and overburden layer vibrations. A zone of acceleration concentration always exists at the shoulder of a slope under seismic action. The dominant Fourier frequency in the Y direction of the slope is 11.7687 Hz under Wolong seismic, and the high-frequency vibrations of the upper overburden layer are significantly stronger than those of the bedrock. Slopes under 0.4 g earthquakes first form cracks at the top and then expand downward through them. Under seismic action, the peak dynamic earth pressure in front of the front pile occurs near the bottom of the pile, and the dynamic earth pressure behind the pile occurs near the slip surface. The peak dynamic earth pressure of the back pile occurs at the top of the bedrock. The slope damage is significant at 0.6 g. At this point, the peak dynamic soil pressure at the top of the front pile measures 9.5 kPa, while the peak dynamic soil pressure at the bottom reaches 24.3 kPa. Below the sliding surface of the front pile and on top of the bedrock of the back pile are the critical areas for prevention and control. Elevating the prestressing of the anchor cables will help enhance the synergy between the anchor cables and the piles. Simultaneously, it will reduce the variability of vibration in the bedrock and overburden, thereby improving the stability of the slopes.
In this study, a series of shaking table model tests were performed to evaluate the dynamic earth pressure acting on pile foundation during liquefaction. The dynamic earth pressure acting on piles were evaluated with depth and pile diameters comparing with excess pore water pressure, it means that the kinematic load effect plays a substantial role in dynamic pile behavior during liquefaction. The dynamic earth pressure acting on pile foundations with mass exhibited significant similarity to those without upper mass. Analyzing the non-fluctuating and fluctuating components of both excess pore water pressure and dynamic earth pressure revealed that the non-fluctuating component has a dominant influence. In case of non-fluctuating component, dynamic earth pressure is larger than excess porewater pressure at same depth, and the difference increased with depth and pile diameter. However, in the case of the fluctuating component, the earth pressure tended to be smaller than the excess pore water pressure as the depth increased. Based on the results of a series of studies, it can be concluded that the dynamic earth pressure acting on the pile foundation during liquefaction is applied up to 1.5 times the excess pore water pressure for the non-fluctuating component and 0.75 times the excess pore water pressure for the fluctuating component.
Underground diaphragm walls are commonly used as a support system for the construction of subway stations, working together with inner side walls of subway stations to withstand the pressure from surrounding soils. However, the effect of diaphragm walls on the seismic response of subway stations is still not well understood yet, or at least not well considered during design. In this paper, a series of 1 g shaking table tests is designed to investigate the seismic response of a typical two-story and three-span subway station considering the influence of underground diaphragm walls. The stratum is simulated by synthetic model soil (a mixture of sand and sawdust), and the model structure and diaphragm walls are made by granular concrete with galvanized steel wires. A test case of the structure without diaphragm walls is also involved and taken as a benchmark comparison to understand the impact of diaphragm walls on the seismic response of subway station. The seismic excitations for the test include actual seismic records with the amplitude of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 g, respectively. Based on the test data analysis, a comprehensive discussion is conducted on the influence of diaphragm walls on the seismic design of underground structures. Current misconceptions that ignoring the role of diaphragm walls is a conservative way in seismic design of underground structures are also reviewed. Results show that the presence of underground diaphragm walls would enhance the lateral stiffness of the structure, and thus significantly reduce the lateral deformation of subway stations during earthquakes. Notably, the structure with diaphragm walls also exhibits a significant amplification in acceleration response and experiences greater dynamic earth pressures on the sidewalls, and furthermore the strains at the connection between the sidewalls and diaphragm walls are dramatically amplified during the earthquake. It is worth noting that these adverse effects of the diaphragm walls on the amplification of dynamic earth pressures on the structure as well as the increase of internal forces at the sidewalls end-diaphragm walls connection should be carefully considered in the seismic design of underground structures.