Pseudo-Static Analysis of Slope Reinforced with Bamboo Nails Using PLAXIS 2D

In the seismically active zone, earthquake is the major concern for the instability of the slope. Different ground improvement techniques have been developed to prevent slope failure under the prevailing conditions. However, most of these techniques have been proven harmful to the soil environment. Thus, there is a need for sustainable and eco-friendly ground improvement techniques to improve the stability of the slope. The purpose of the present study is to show bamboo as an effective alternative to steel nails for improving the stability of slopes. Studies in the literature show that bamboo can be successfully used as a reinforcing material for soil stabilization because bamboo is an indigenous resource, has high tensile strength, and will have no adverse effect on the environment if abandoned in the ground (unlike steel nails). Keeping the above in mind, in this study, a model has been presented to evaluate the pseudo-static analysis of a slope reinforced with bamboo nails using PLAXIS 2D. The effects of various parameters, such as inclination angle, length, and spacing of the bamboo nail, and horizontal and vertical seismic coefficients, are evaluated and discussed in the paper. The aging effect of bamboo nails on the stability of the slope has also been discussed. Results of the analysis are expressed in terms of factor of safety (FOS), and the relative importance of the parameters considered in the study is plotted in the sensitivity graph. From the sensitivity analysis, it has been observed that the vertical spacing of bamboo nails is the most sensitive parameter, followed by nail inclination. The optimal length of the soil nail is observed to be approximately equal to 1.2 times the height of the slope in this present work.