Seismic Stability Study of Bamboo Grid–Reinforced Sloping Ground

Abstract

The primary goal of this study is to assess the structural and seismic performance of a slope reinforced with a bamboo grid. The analysis is conducted using two-dimensional (2D) numerical simulations with the finite element program MIDAS GTS NX (340) 2023 v1.1. For this investigation, two ground motion records, such as 2011 Sikkim (Gangtok), India, and 1989 Loma Prieta Oakland Outer Wharf 270 Deg, are used in the nonlinear time history analysis of the slope. The lateral displacement, settlement, internal forces, and maximum shear stress results are compared for sloping ground experienced with these earthquake records. This study found that bamboo grid reinforcement improves the seismic stability of the sloping grounds by 94.44% given ground motion 1 (GM-1) and 80% given ground motion 2 (GM-2), suggesting better performance under GM-1. The seismic performance in different sections of the slope shows that the toe of the slope has 75% less lateral displacement than does the middle, and beyond 11 s, this value is 91.8%. The far crest of the slope decreases the displacement by 77.3% up to 10 s and 91.4% after that. Since the bamboo grid controls vertical displacements, the toe and body sections observed settlement reductions of up to 71.4% and 85.7%, respectively. Bamboo grids increase the maximum tensile stress by 99.75% and the compressive stress by 2.17%, increasing the major principal stress by 91.17% under GM-1. Due to the greater axial stresses of its layers, the bamboo grid can improve its structural performance and stress resistance. Shear stress decreased by 79%, and plastic strain improved, especially under GM-2, suggesting that the bamboo grid resists deformation effectively.