Seismic stability and failure mode of the slope containing a two-pile foundation.

In this study, the seismic stability of the slope containing a two-pile foundation (SCTPF) under seismic loads is evaluated by the finite element limit analysis (FELA) method. The seismic loading is modeled as a statically applied inertial force, the magnitude of which is a product of a seismic coefficient and the weight of the potential sliding mass within the framework of the pseudo-static method. The feasibility of FELA in the analysis is validated by comparing the predicted safety factors, yield acceleration coefficients, and potential failure surfaces with those in published studies. On this basis, some non-dimensional multipliers are presented to investigate the variations of seismic safety factors with different factors and simplify the calculation of seismic safety factors. Numerous values of the multipliers under different conditions have been given in this study and the tendency of these multipliers with different factors has been explored by fitting curves or distribution regions. Furthermore, four detailed design tables for seismic safety factors and six representative slope failure modes are presented, with the mechanisms and conditions of these failure modes and the transitions among them elaborated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]