Numerical simulation of the seismic response of stepped highly weathered sandstone slopes from a multi-domain perspective: effects of weathering interfaces and tunnels

Abstract

The coupled effects of geological topography, weathering interfaces, and tunnel structures significantly influence the seismic stability of slopes. In this study, a stepped, highly weathered sandstone slope in southwestern China was investigated using three FLAC^3D models: a homogeneous stepped slope, a stepped highly weathered sandstone slope, and a stepped highly weathered sandstone slope with a tunnel. A combined multi-domain framework integrating time-domain, frequency-domain, and time – frequency (HHT) analyses was adopted to evaluate the dynamic response of the slope system. The results show that stepped topography and highly weathered layers jointly amplify the seismic response and promote energy concentration in the platform region, where the maximum M_PGA occurs. Compared with the homogeneous stepped slope, the M_PGA of the stepped highly weathered slope increases by approximately 1.7–2.5 times. Frequency-domain and time – frequency analyses further reveal a coupled relationship between frequency-dependent dynamic response and seismic energy evolution: components below 2 Hz mainly govern the overall dynamic response of the upper slope, whereas higher-frequency components are associated with localized response concentration near the platform and crest. The tunnel does not substantially shift the four primary characteristic frequency bands, but increases the M_PGA by approximately 12–13%, selectively amplifies relatively weak components above 6 Hz, increases PHESA and PMSA, and delays seismic energy propagation. These findings clarify the roles of weathering interfaces and tunnels in the dynamic amplification of stepped highly weathered sandstone slopes and reveal the controlling mechanism of localized amplification and damage-prone zones under seismic loading.

Keywords

stepped highly weathered sandstone slope / seismic dynamic response / multi-domain analysis / tunnel-slope system / numerical simulation

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