On the influence of waves and seismic loads on granular seabed stability

Resumo

A stability study of granular seabed subjected to cyclic wave loading and seismic actions, based on limit analysis in terms of effective stress, was conducted. Seismic loading is considered using the pseudo-static method, while wave loading is modeled by the first-order Stokes theory. The adopted formulation incorporates the effects of seepage forces arising from pore pressure gradients induced both by wave pressure oscillations and by soil densification due to cyclic shearing of the granular material. The analysis is conducted using the kinematic approach, based on representative failure mechanisms, and the Mohr-Coulomb strength criterion is adopted. Numerical results highlight the significant destabilizing influence of seismic loading, especially when combined with wave-induced cyclic loading.