Flow and deformation failure of sandy slopes

The effects of earthquake induced pore pressure on seismic and post seismic stability conditions of cohesionless slopes are investigated with reference to the infinite slope scheme. In cohesionless slopes the shear strength reduction caused by pore pressure build-up may lead the slope to a deformation failure or to a flow failure if liquefaction conditions are approached. Two critical values of the seismic induced pore pressure ratio are introduced to evaluate the-effect of shear strength reduction on the slope failure mechanism. The results are. given-in the-form of stability charts and a procedure for the evaluation of the seismic stability condition is described. The procedure gives-useful information about the failure mechanism that slopes may exhibit and the displacement analysis which should be carried out. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.