Investigation of dynamic responses of slopes in various anchor cable failure modes

To clarify the effect of various anchor cable failure modes on the dynamic responses of slopes, the FLAC3D software was redeveloped. Constitutive models of cable elements in different anchor cable failure modes were proposed and embedded into the main program of slope dynamic calculation. The axial force, acceleration, and displacement responses in different anchor cable failure modes were compared and analyzed. The effects of seismic parameters on the anchor cable failure modes were also investigated. A matching relationship between the ultimate load-bearing capacities of the anchorage, anchoring interface, and tendon was proposed. The results reveal that the seismic intensity causing anchor cable damage in anchorage failure mode (AFM) and grouting body failure mode is 0.2g–0.3 g lower than that in tendon failure mode. At the moment of failure, the stress released by the anchor cable in AFM is the highest, with the most evident instantaneous slope acceleration fluctuation. In the collaborative seismic design of the anchorage, anchoring section, and anchor tendon, the ultimate load-bearing capacities of the anchorage and anchoring interface should be increased by 1.8 times to match the tensile bearing capacity of the tendon. This study provides a reference for the seismic anchorage design of slopes and offers suggestions for selecting seismic design parameters for anchor cables.