Seismic Analysis of Embankment

[ONENGINEER]

I am assessing the foundation liquefaction for a waste rockfill. Usually national buliding codes are used for seismic design. However, NBC provisions are for structures to resist without collapse. How the "collapse" criteria be extended to a rockfill with no inhabitants near it to survive in the case of an earthquake.

 

[dgillette]

Presumably a waste fill can tolerate some amount of deformation, so it might be sufficient to show an adequate post-earthquake factor of safety against sliding, assuming liquefied material in the foundation (accounting for any pore-water pressure within the rock fill). The appropriate factor of safety depends on consequences of sliding, uncertainty in your material properties and piezometric levels, and how lucky you feel. If there is a liner or a cap (to prevent acid rock drainage), it may not be able to tolerate as much movement.