Transportation networks are essential for a functional society and are a major component of civil infrastructure. The importance of a functioning network is heightened in a post-earthquake situation. More stress is placed on road networks to provide transportation for rescue, repair, and relief teams. Roads, approaches, and embankments represent significant elements in the transportation network. Understanding the performance of these elements is crucial to comprehending whole network performance before, during, and after a natural disaster such as an earthquake. Currently, seismic performance of roads, approaches, and embankments is not well studied. This study seeks to remedy that by investigating the seismic performance of embankments. First, a comprehensive survey of damage to roads, approaches, and embankments is undertaken and damage states are categorized and classified. Limit states are developed that correspond to these damage classifications for both the pavement and earthquake engineering communities. The earthquake scenario is simulated using synthetically generated accelerograms representative of ground motions of the Central United States (CEUS). Analytical models are developed and subjected to dynamic time history analysis. First, a benchmark full bond model is developed and analyzed. Parametric studies on geometry, material properties, and interface conditions are conducted using a variety of models. Both 4 meter and 6 meter embankment heights are investigated along with models incorporating different interface condition models. Seismic performance of the embankment is then assessed mainly by investigating peak displacements of the various analysis cases. Previously established limit states are evaluated and embankment response is characterized according to limit state exceedance. Results of this study show exceedance of the ???slight??? engineering community limit state, and exceedance of both the functional and structural damage pavement community limit states.
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