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Slope Stability 04

1. The document discusses different modes of failure for slopes, including slope failure, shallow slope failure, and base failure. 2. It describes two types of stability analysis procedures - the mass procedure and method of slices. The mass procedure treats the soil mass as a unit while the method of slices divides the soil into vertical slices. 3. Examples are provided to demonstrate calculating the factor of safety and critical height of slopes using equations related to the stability number and undrained shear strength of saturated clay soils. The nature of the critical failure surface is determined.

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Ann Nazmun Sakib
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156 views

Slope Stability 04

1. The document discusses different modes of failure for slopes, including slope failure, shallow slope failure, and base failure. 2. It describes two types of stability analysis procedures - the mass procedure and method of slices. The mass procedure treats the soil mass as a unit while the method of slices divides the soil into vertical slices. 3. Examples are provided to demonstrate calculating the factor of safety and critical height of slopes using equations related to the stability number and undrained shear strength of saturated clay soils. The nature of the critical failure surface is determined.

Uploaded by

Ann Nazmun Sakib
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CE 343

Geotechnical Engineering II

Department of Civil Engineering


Slope Stability

Modes of Failure

In general, finite slope failure occurs in one of the


following modes (Fig. 6).

1. When the failure occurs in such a way that the


surface of sliding intersects the slope at or above its
toe, it is called a slope failure (Fig. 6a).

The failure circle is referred to as a toe circle if it


passes through the toe of the slope and as a slope
circle if it passes above the toe of the slope.

Under certain circumstances, a shallow slope


failure can occur, as shown in Fig. 6b.
Slope Stability

Figure 6a
Modes of Failure of Finite Slope
Slope Failure
Slope Stability

Modes of Failure

2. When the failure occurs in such a way that the


surface of sliding passes at some distance below
the toe of the slope, it is called a base failure (Fig.
6c).

The failure circle in the case of base failure is called


a midpoint circle.
Slope Stability

Figure 6b
Modes of Failure of Finite Slope
Shallow Slope Failure
Slope Stability

Figure 6c
Modes of Failure of Finite Slope
Base Failure
Slope Stability

Types of Stability Analysis Procedure

In general, available procedures of stability analysis


can be divided into two major classes:

1. Mass Procedure

2. Method of Slices
Slope Stability

Types of Stability Analysis Procedure

1. Mass Procedure

 In this case, the mass of the soil above the surface


of sliding is taken as a unit.

 The procedure is useful when the soil that forms the


slope is assumed to be homogeneous, although this
is not the case in most natural slopes.
Slope Stability

Types of Stability Analysis Procedure

2. Method of Slices

 In this procedure, the soil above the surface of


sliding is divided into a number of vertical parallel
slices.

 The stability of each slice is calculated separately.

 This is a versatile technique in which the non-


homogeneity of the soils and pore water pressure
can be taken into account.

 It also accounts for the variation of normal stress


along the potential failure surface.
Slope Stability

Fig. 7 shows a slope in homogeneous soil.

The undrained shear strength of the soil is assumed to


be constant with depth i.e., 𝝉𝒇 = 𝒄𝒖

𝑨𝑬𝑫 is chosen as a trial potential curve of sliding which


is an arc of a circle that has a radius 𝒓. 𝑶 is the center
of the circle.

Considering a unit length perpendicular to the section


of slope, the weight of the soil above the curve 𝑨𝑬𝑫,
𝑾 = 𝑾𝟏 + 𝑾𝟐 ;
𝑾𝟏 = 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒐𝒇 𝑭𝑪𝑫𝑬𝑭 × 𝜸

𝑾𝟐 = (𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝑩𝑭𝑬𝑨 × 𝜸)
Slope Stability

Figure 7
Stability Analysis of Slope in Homogeneous
Saturated Clay (∅ = 0)
Slope Stability

Failure of slope may occur by sliding of the soil mass.

The moment of the driving force about 𝑶 to cause


slope instability is-
𝑴𝒅 = 𝑾𝟏 𝒍𝟏 − 𝑾𝟐 𝒍𝟐 (43)

Where, 𝒍𝟏 and 𝒍𝟐 are moment arms

The resistance to sliding is derived from the cohesion


that acts along the potential surface of sliding.

If 𝒄𝒅 is the cohesion that needs to be developed, the


moment of resisting forces about 𝑶 is-

𝑴𝑹 = 𝒄𝒅 𝑨𝑬𝑫 𝟏 𝒓 = 𝒄𝒅 𝒓𝟐 𝜽 (44)
Slope Stability

Figure 7
Stability Analysis of Slope in Homogeneous
Saturated Clay (∅ = 0)
Slope Stability

For equilibrium,
𝑴𝑹 = 𝑴𝒅

Thus,
𝒄𝒅 𝒓𝟐 𝜽 = 𝑾𝟏 𝒍𝟏 − 𝑾𝟐 𝒍𝟐

or
𝑾𝟏 𝒍𝟏 −𝑾𝟐 𝒍𝟐
𝒄𝒅 = (45)
𝒓𝟐 𝜽

Factor of safety against sliding,


𝝉𝒇 𝒄𝒖
𝑭𝒔 = = (46)
𝒄𝒅 𝒄𝒅
Slope Stability

 The potential curve of sliding, 𝑨𝑬𝑫 , was chosen


arbitrarily.

 The critical failure surface is that for which the ratio


of 𝒄𝒖 to 𝒄𝒅 is a minimum. In other words, 𝒄𝒅 is
maximum.

 To find the critical surface for sliding, one must make


a number of trials for different trial circles.

 The minimum value of the factor of safety thus


obtained is the factor of safety against sliding for
the slope and the corresponding circle is the critical
circle.
Slope Stability

 Stability problems of this type have been solved


analytically by Fellenius (1927) and Taylor (1937).

 For the case of critical circles, the developed


cohesion can be expressed by the relationship

𝒄𝒅 = 𝜸𝑯𝒎

or
𝒄𝒅
=𝒎 (47)
𝜸𝑯

 The term 𝒎 is non-dimensional and is referred to as


the stability number.
Slope Stability

 The critical height (i.e., 𝐹𝑠 = 1) of the slope can be


evaluated by substituting 𝐻 = 𝐻𝑐𝑟 and 𝑐𝑑 = 𝑐𝑢 (full
mobilization of the undrained shear strength) into
Eq. 47.

Thus,
𝒄𝒖
𝑯𝒄𝒓 = (48)
𝜸𝒎

 Values of the stability number, 𝒎, for various slope


angles 𝜷, are given in Fig. 8b.
Slope Stability

Figure 8a
Definition of Parameters for Midpoint Circle
type of Failure
Slope Stability

Figure 8b
Plot of Stability Number against Slope Angle
(Redrawn from Terzaghi & Peck, 1967)
Slope Stability

𝜸𝑯
 Terzaghi used the term , the reciprocal of 𝒎 and
𝒄𝒅
called it stability factor.

 Note that, Fig. 8a is valid for slopes of saturated clay


and is applicable to only undrained conditions (∅ =
𝟎).
Slope Stability

Some Key Points in reference to Fig. 8


1. For a slope angle 𝜷 greater than 𝟓𝟑°, the critical
circle is always a toe circle.

2. For 𝜷 < 𝟓𝟑°, the critical circle may be a toe, slope


or midpoint circle, depending on the location of
the firm base under the slope. This is called the
depth function, which is defined as-

𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞


𝑫= (49)
𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞
Slope Stability

Some Key Points in reference to Fig. 8


3. When the critical circle is a midpoint circle (i.e., the
failure surface is tangent to the firm base), its
position can be determined with the aid of Fig. 9.

4. The maximum possible value of the stability number


for failure as a midpoint circle is 𝟎. 𝟏𝟖𝟏.
Slope Stability

Figure 9
Location of Midpoint
Circle
Slope Stability

EXAMPLE 03
A cut slope in saturated clay (Fig. 10) makes an angle
of 𝟓𝟔° with the horizontal.

a) Determine the maximum depth up to which the cut


could be made assuming the critical surface for sliding
is circularly cylindrical. What will be the nature of the
critical circle (i.e., toe, slope or midpoint)?

b) How deep should the cut be made if a factor of safety


of 𝟐 against sliding is required?
Slope Stability

Figure 10
EXAMPLE 03
Slope Stability

EXAMPLE 03 : SOLUTION
a)

Since the slope angle 𝜷 = 𝟓𝟔° > 𝟓𝟑°, the critical circle
is a toe circle.

From Fig. 8a, for 𝜷 = 𝟓𝟔°, 𝒎 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟖𝟓

𝑐𝑢 500
𝐻𝑐𝑟 = = = 𝟐𝟒. 𝟓𝟕 𝒇𝒕
𝛾𝑚 110 × 0.186
Slope Stability

Figure 8b
Plot of Stability Number against Slope Angle
(Redrawn from Terzaghi & Peck, 1967)
Slope Stability

EXAMPLE 03 : SOLUTION
b)

The developed cohesion is-

𝑐𝑢 500
𝑐𝑑 = = = 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝒍𝒃/𝒇𝒕𝟐
𝐹𝑠 2

From Fig. 8a, for 𝜷 = 𝟓𝟔°, 𝒎 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟖𝟓

𝑐𝑑 250
𝐻= = = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟐𝟗 𝒇𝒕
𝛾𝑚 110 × 0.186
Slope Stability

EXAMPLE 04
A cut slope was excavated in a saturated clay. The
slope made an angle of 𝟒𝟎° with the horizontal. Slope
failure occurred when the cut reached a depth of
𝟔. 𝟏 𝒎. previous soil explorations showed that a rock
layer was located at a depth of 𝟗. 𝟏𝟓 𝒎 below the
ground surface. Assume an undrained condition and
𝜸𝒔𝒂𝒕 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟐𝟗 𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟑 .

a) Determine the undrained cohesion of the clay (Use Fig.


8a).

b) What was the nature of the critical circle?

c) With reference to the toe of the slope, at what distance


did the surface of sliding intersect the bottom of the
Slope Stability

EXAMPLE 04 : SOLUTION
a)
9.15
𝐷= = 1.5, 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 17.29 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
6.1
And
𝒄𝒖
𝑯𝒄𝒓 =
𝜸𝒎

From Fig.14.8a, for 𝜷 = 𝟒𝟎° 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑫 = 𝟏. 𝟓; 𝒎 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟕𝟓

So,

𝑐𝑢 = 𝐻𝑐𝑟 𝛾 𝑚 = 6.15 × 17.29 × 0.175 = 𝟏𝟖. 𝟔 𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐


Slope Stability

Figure 8b
Plot of Stability Number against Slope Angle
(Redrawn from Terzaghi & Peck, 1967)
Slope Stability

EXAMPLE 04 : SOLUTION
b)
Midpoint Circle

c)

From Fig. 9, for 𝜷 = 𝟒𝟎° 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑫 = 𝟏. 𝟓; 𝒏 = 𝟎. 𝟗

So,

Distance = 𝑛 𝐻𝑐𝑟 = 0.9 6.1 = 𝟓. 𝟒𝟗 𝒎


Slope Stability

Figure 9
Location of Midpoint
Circle

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