Effects of Cracks on the Seismic Response of Soft Clay-Embankment Systems

This paper presents a numerical study on the effects of cracks on the seismic response of soft clay-embankment systems. 3-D finite differences models of the soil-crack and soil-crack-embankment systems were developed using the software FLAC3D, considering a Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. As a case study, the soil-embankment system was hypothetically located in the densely populated urban area of Mexico City. The soil and embankment were modeled with solid brick elements and the cracks with interface elements. Both static and dynamic analyses were conducted for several consolidation stages, accounting for the embankment weight and regional subsidence caused by water extraction. A uniform hazard spectrum for a subduction zone earthquake, with return period of 2475 years, was considered in the analyses. The results of this research allowed to gained insight regarding the influence that discontinuities can have on the seismic response of embankments built on top of cracked soft clay deposits.