Review and Detailed Engineering Design of Comprehensive

River Management of Zapote River

SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSES OF GUADALUPE RIVER CROSS SECTIONS

1. INTRODUCTION

Slope stability refers to the resistance of the soil from sliding or collapsing when subjected to
external loads during excavation and embankment works. Normally, factors such as pore
water pressure, surcharge and weight of the soil contributes to the stresses applied to the
ground which can exceed the soil strength and capacity resulting to instability. The idea of
slope stability is to investigate the adequacy of soil strength and parameters considering
probable failure mechanisms.

Soil shear strength is the primary parameter considered for slope stability since it relates
either total or effective normal stress on the failure plane. Shear strength is obtained through
the cohesion and angle of internal friction as determined from the laboratory shear test.

The analysis method used by Soil Works software is the Limit Equilibrium Method. It
examines slope stability using slice method (lines and arcs) projected along the assumed
slope failure. The concept of this method satisfies the forces and moment equilibrium
condition by assuming a linearly proportional relationship between the horizontal force and
the normal force of the slice. The approach determinesthe minimal factor of safety for arc
failure surface and critical failure surface.

Performance of slope based on its design life can be evaluated using an acceptable factor of
safety. Minimum factor of safety used in the design is based on the provided factor of safety
guidance by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

Table 1.0-1
Minimum Required Factors of Safety (USACE, 2003)

Required Minimum
Analysis Condition Slope
Factor of Safety
Upstream &
End of construction (including stage construction) 1.3
Downstream
Long term (Steady seepage, maximum storage
1.5 Downstream
pool, spillway crest or top of gates)
Maximum surcharge pool 1.4 Downstream
Rapid drawdown 1.1 1.34.5 Upstream

Soil Stability Analysis

March 2017
Review and Detailed Engineering Design of Comprehensive
River Management of Zapote River

2. RESULTS OF SELECTED CROSS SECTIONS

The slope stability model was analyzed using SoilWorks software with modified soil
parameters. The surcharge load used in the model is equal to 12kN/m 2, and the weight of
the coping beam is also applied which is equal to 25kN, safety factor should not be less than
1.5.

2.1. Station 0+000 (LEFT BANK)

2.1.1. Soil Properties

Table 2.1.1-A
Soil Properties for Station 0+000

Internal
Wet unit Saturated Modulus of
Cohesion friction Poisson's
Section weight unit weight elasticity
(kN/m) angle ratio
(kN/m) (kN/m) (kN/m)
([deg])

SILTY SAND 18.00 18.00 5.0 29.00 - -

WELL 21.00 21.00 - 38.50 - -

GRADED
GRAVEL

RIGID LEM 24.00 24.00 365.0 35.00 - -

2.1.2. Analysis and Result

Table 2.1.2-A
Result for Station 0+050

LEM

Standard safety factor 1.500 Evaluation

Analysis safety factor OK

2.621
(Arc failure surface) Determined to be safe.

Soil Stability Analysis

March 2017
Review and Detailed Engineering Design of Comprehensive
River Management of Zapote River

Soil Stability Analysis

March 2017