Slope Stability Analysis

• Infinite Slopes
– Constant slope of infinite extent
• Mountain face
• Finite Slopes
– Slopes with heights approaching critical
values
• Embankments, earth dams

Causes of Slope Failures

• Gravitational Force
• Seepage Pressures
• Undercutting by Rivers
• Sudden Drop of Water Levels
• Earthquakes

CEEN3160-Slope Stability 1
CEEN3160-Slope Stability 2
 Factor of Safety
• Factor of Safety w.r.t. Strength
– FSs = f / d
 f = c’ + ’ tan ’
 d = cd’ + ’ tan d’

- FSs = [c’ + ’ tan ’ ] / [cd’ + ’ tan d’]

Factor of Safety
• Factor of safety w.r.t. Cohesion
– FSc’ = c’ / cd’
• Factor of Safety w.r.t. Friction
t ’ / ttan d’
– FS’ = tan

Factor of Safety
• When FSs = 1, the slope is in the state of
impending failure

• G
Generally,
ll FSs ~ 1.5
1 5 iis acceptable
t bl ffor
design – up to 1.75 for earth dams

CEEN3160-Slope Stability 3
 Finite Slopes
• Culman Method – Planar failure surface
– Fairly good results for near vertical slopes
only
• Swedish Method – Circularly cylindrical
sliding surface
– Good for analysis of embankments and their
foundations
• Method of Slices

Finite Slopes
with
Planar Failure Surfaces
Cullman Method

cr = (4c’/) [sincos’/(1-cos(-’)]

cr


cr = (+’d) / 2

CEEN3160-Slope Stability 4
 Finite Slopes
with
Circularly Cylindrical
Failure Surfaces

Types of Slope Failures

O

Toe Circle

Firm Base

CEEN3160-Slope Stability 5
 Types of Slope Failures
O

Slope Circle

Firm Base

Types of Slope Failures

O

Shallow Slope Failure

Firm Base

Types of Slope Failures

O

Midpoint Circle

Base Failure

Firm Base

CEEN3160-Slope Stability 6
 Homogeneous Clays
 = 0, (Undrained)
O


Radius = r Md = W1l1 - W2l2
 MR = cdr2

W1 H
cd=[W1l1-W2l2] / r2
l2 l1
cm
FSs = cu / cd

W2

cm

(=0)
Critical Circles (
• FSs = 1
• cd/Hc = m (Stability Number)
• m = fn {slope angle, depth to firm base)
•  > 53o
– All circles are toe circles
– Center of circle found using
• Fig 13.7 in text

o
Figure 13.7 Location of center of critical circles for  > 53

CEEN3160-Slope Stability 7
 (=0)
Critical Circles (
• For  < 53o
• Critical circle may be a toe, slope or
midpoint circle depending on depth to firm
layer
• Depth = DH; x = nH
• Fig 10.10 text
• Max m = 0.181

o
For  < 53 :
Above region=mid-point circle
Within region=toe circle
Below region=slope circle

Example Analysis
• 60o cut in soft clay
– cu=800 psf; =122 pcf

• Determine maximum cut depth

depth, Hc
• Determine FSs if cut is 25 ft

CEEN3160-Slope Stability 8
 Example Analysis
• Hc = ?
•  = 60o > 53o, so critical circle is toe circle

Types of Slope Failures

O

Toe Circle

Firm Base

Example Analysis
• Hc = ?
•  = 60o > 53o, so critical circle is toe circle
• From Fig 13.6
• m=0.192

CEEN3160-Slope Stability 9
 Example Analysis
• Hc = ?
•  = 60o > 53o, so critical circle is toe circle
• From Fig 13.6, m=0.195
• m = c u /  Hc
• Hc = cu / m = 800psf / [122pcf x 0.192]
• Hc = 34 ft

Example Analysis
• FSs = ? for H = 25 ft
• m = cm / H
• cm = m  H
• cm = 0.192*122*25 = 585.6 = 586 psf
• FS= cu/cm = 800/586 = 1.36

CEEN3160-Slope Stability 10