A practical method for identifying parameters in the seismic design of embankments

The effect of heterogeneity of soils on a seismic design procedure based on residual displacement according to safety factors is examined. Although soils are heterogeneous in nature, at present the seismic designs of embankments implement the assumption that soils are homogeneous. In this study, a seismic reliability analysis using a Monte Carlo simulation and considering the heterogeneity of soil strength was applied to the Newmark sliding block method. The data of the analysis in this study were based on in-situ soil test results of actual airport embankments. This paper indicates a rational and practical approach to modifying the actual heterogeneous soil conditions into homogeneous design parameters for the Newmark sliding block method in homogeneous ground conditions.