Seismic behavior of uniform rubble-mound embankments

Rubble-mound breakwaters are subjected inertia effect together with wave-wind effects, seismic effect and other complex dynamic effects frequently. Consideration of the dynamic effects induced by earthquake with other dynamic effects is very important because of the breakwaters are constructed on the soft and permeable soils generally. Taking up ali these complex effects together makes difficult to make balance between economical design and safety naturally. The behavior of the rubble-mound breakwaters which are commonly used under dynamic loads is not taken into consideration sufficiently. Because of the regions on the breakvvaters having damage can be renovated by supplying necessary materials easily The aim of this study is to examine seismic stability of the homogenous rubble-mound breakvvaters under laboratory conditions with the scaled models. in the experiments the dynamic loads having different amplitude and frequencies loaded on the model breakwater which is assumed as consisting of riprap material by using shaking tank. During experiments the accelerations on the crest and under layer of the breakvvater were recorded by using acceleration gauges. The cross sections have been compared before and after shaking test by electronic profıler and vertical displacements and deformations were determined. Besides of that the behavior of the breakvvater under seismic effects was investigated by image process system also. Measured accelerations were applied to Newmark Sliding Block Approach Model and yield acceleration was determined. Consequently; the measured accelerations on the section of the homogenous breakwater body have been compared with calculated yield acceleration and found out that when the yield acceleration is exceeded by measured accelerations the vertical displacements on the breakvvater are increase. Keyrvords: rubble-mound breakvvaters, earthquake, seismic stability, dynamic behavior, yield acceleration, Newmark Model.