Case Study on Slope Stability Changes Caused by Earthquakes—Focusing on Gyeongju 5.8 ML EQ

Abstract

Slope failure is a natural hazard occurring around the world and can lead to severe damage of properties and loss of lives. Even in stabilized slopes, changes in external loads, such as those from earthquakes, may cause slope failure and collapse, generating social impacts and, eventually causing loss of lives. In this research, the slope stability changes caused by the Gyeongju earthquake, which occurred on 12 September 2016, are numerically analyzed in a slope located in the Gyeongju area, South Korea. Slope property data, collected through an on-site survey, was used in the analysis. Additionally, slope stability changes with and without the earthquake were analyzed and compared. The analysis was performed within a peak ground acceleration (PGA) range of 0.0 (g)–2.0 (g) to identify the correlation between the slope safety factor and peak ground acceleration. The correlation between the slope safety factor and peak ground acceleration could be used as a reference for performing on-site slope stability evaluations. It also provides a reference for design and earthquake stability improvements in the slopes of road and tunnel construction projects, thus supporting the attainment of slope stability in South Korea.