On the seismic stability analysis of reinforced rock slope and optimization of prestressed cables

The evaluation of the seismic stability of high rock slopes is of vital importance to ensure the safe operation of the hydropower stations. In this paper, an equivalent pseudo-static force analysis based on the finite element method is developed to evaluate the seismic stability of reinforced rock slopes where the prestressed cables are modeled by the bar elements applied with nodal forces and bounded only at the anchored parts. The method is applied to analyze a high rock slope in south-west China and the optimization of cables. The stabilization effects of prestressed cables on the seismic stability of the slope are studied, the simulations of the concrete heading are discussed and the potential failure modes of the shear concrete plug are compared. Based on this, the optimization of cables is studied including the anchor spacing and inclined angles.