Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

917

Date

2013

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Engineering

Concentration

Civil Engineering

Committee Chair

David Arellano

Committee Member

Roger Meier

Committee Member

Shahram Pezeshk

Committee Member

Charles Camp

Abstract

Seismic Stability Analysis of Landslides Stabilized With Expanded Polystyrence (EPS)-block Geofoam. Major Proffesor: Dr. David ArellanoThe goal of the proposed research is to develop a comprehensive seismic analysis procedure for the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) – block geofoam in landslide stabilization and repair.Landslides are among the most widespread geologic hazard on earth. Landslides occur in every state and U.S. territory, especially in the Pacific Coast, the Rocky Mountains, the Appalachian Mountains, and Puerto Rico. Active seismic activity contributes to the landslide hazard risk in areas such as Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Coast and estimated damages related to landslides exceed $2 billion annually. Landslide stabilization and repair techniques can usually be classified into one of the following categories: (1) avoid the hazard, (2) reduce the driving forces, or (3) increase the resisting forces. The use of lightweight fill such as expanded-polystyrene (EPS)-block geofoam is a slope stabilization procedure that can be used to reduce the weight of the sliding mass and, thereby, reduce the driving forces of the sliding mass.A current need in practice is the availability of a comprehensive seismic design procedure that is specific to EPS blocks utilized for the function of lightweight fill in slope stabilization and repair. To accomplish the overall research goal, the following research objectives were pursued: (1) develop a method to evaluate the seismic stability of EPS embankments based on limit equilibrium methods of analysis, (2) develop a method to evaluate the seismic stability of EPS embankments based on stress-strain (deformation analysis) and (3) develop a seismic stability analysis procedure that incorporates the findings of Objectives 1 and 2.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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