SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-51C

MODULE- 51C
Stability of slopes-infinite slopes, finite slopes.
.
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3. An infinite slope is to be constructed in a
1. A deep cut of 7m has to be made in a soil. The effective stress strength
clay with unit weight 16 kN/ and a parameters of the soil are = 0 and =
30°. The saturated unit weight of the slope
cohesion of 25 kN/. What will be the
is 20 kN/ and the unit weight of water
factor of safety if one has to have a is 10 kN/ . Assuming that seepage is
slope angle of 30°? Stability number is occurring parallel to the slope, the
given to be 0.178 (from Taylor’s maximum slope angle for a factor of
chart) for a depth factor of 3. safety of 1.5 would be

(A) 0.80 (B) 1.1 (A) 10.89° (B) 11.30°

(C) 1.25 (D) 1.0 (C) 12.48° (D) 14.73°

Ans : Ans :

F=

1.5 = I=
0.178 =
4. A granular soil possesses saturated density
2. The critical slip circle for a slope is shown of 20 kN/m3. Its effective angle friction is
below along with the soil properties. The 35 degrees. If the desired factor of safety
length of the arc of the slip circle is 15.6 is 1.5, the safe angle of slope for this soil,
m and the area of within the slip circle is when seepage occurs at and parallel to the
82 . The radius of the slip circles is 10.3 surface, will be
m. The factor of safety against the slip (a) 25 (b) 23
circle failure is nearly equal to (c) 20 (d) 13
Ans :

F=

1.5 = I=

(A) 1.05 (B) 1.22 (C) 0.78 (D) 1.28 5. A canal having side slopes 1:1 is proposed
to be constructed in a cohesive soil to a
Ans : depth of 10 m below the ground surface.
The soil properties are: u=15 , =12
F= kPa, e = 1.0, Gs = 2.65.

A) If Taylor's Stability Number, Sn is

0.08 and if the canal flows full, the factor

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-51C

of safety with respect to cohesion against 8. For two infinite slopes (one in dry
failure of the canal bank slopes will be condition and other in submerged
(a) 3.7 (b) 1.85 condition) in a sand deposit having the
(c) 1.0 (d) None of these angle of shearing resistance 30 , factor of
Ans : safety was determined as 1.5 (for both
slopes). The slope angles would have been
(a) 21.05 for dry slope and 21.05 for
submerged slope.
(b) 19.47 for dry slope and 18.40 for
submerged slope.
(c) 18.4 for dry slope and 21.05 for
⁄
submerged slope.
= (d) 22.6 for dry slope and 19.47 for
submerged slope.
Ans :
B) If there is a sudden drawdown of water F=
in the canal and if Taylor's Stability
1.5= I=
Number for the reduced value of vis
0.126, the factor of safety with respect to 9. The factor of safety of an infinite soil
cohesion against the failure of bank slopes slope shown in the figure having the
will be propertiesc = 0, c = 0, φ = 350, γdry = 16
(a) 1.85 (b) 1.18 kN/m3 and γsat = 20 kN/m3 is
(c) 0.84 (d) 0.53 approximately equal to
Ans :
0.126 = F =0.53
6. An infinite soil slope with an inclination
of 35 is subjected to seepage parallel to
its surface. The soil has = 100 kN/m2 =
=30 . Using the concept of mobilized
cohesion and friction, at a factor of safety
of 1.5 with respect to shear strength, the
mobilized friction angle is
(a) 20.02 (b) 21.05 (a) 0.70 (b) 0.80 (c) 1.00 (d) 1.20
(c) 23.33 (d) 30.00 Ans :
Ans : F= =
F= =
7. Using N = 0 analysis and assuming
planar failure as shown, the minimum 10. The soil profile above the rock surface for
factor of safety against shear failure of a a 25oinfinite slope is shown in the figure,
vertical cut of height 4 m in a pure clay where is theundrained shear strength
having cu=120 kN/m2 and = 20 and is total unit weight. The slip will
kN/m3 is occur at a depth of

(a) 1 (b) 6 (c) 10 (d) 20

Ans :
Failure plane angle =45+
Weight of wedge = =160KN (A) 8.83 m (B) 9.79 m (C) 7.83 m (D)
6.53 m
Ans :
⁄
If the failure occurs in top layer,
T=160 T=h
=1.0 S =40

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-51C

T>S (c) (d) ( )

h
Ans : ( B )
but h is maximum 5m only 14. Consider the following statements:
Dewatering increases the slope stability of
T =[ ]
cohesion less soil mainly because
S =60 1.It causes change in pH
T=S 2.It reduces pore water pressure
[ ] which of the statements is/are correct?
(a)1 only (b)2 only
H =3.83 m
(c)Both 1 and 2 (d) neither 1 nor 2
From top the depth is 5+3.83=8.83 m

15. Determine the factor of safety with respect

to cohesion only for a submerged
11. Consider the following assumptions for embankment 25m high whose upstream
slope stability analysis: face has an inclination of . The soil has
1. Friction is fully mobilized the following properties; c=40KN/ ,
2. Effective stress analysis is adopted = , . The relavant
3. Total stress analysis is used stability number is equal to 0.108. what is
4. Resultant ‘R’ passes through the centre the factor of safety if the embankment
of the circle. experience the effect of sudden
5. Resultant ‘R’ is tangential to the friction drawdown? For = and ,
circle. the value of stability number is 0.136
The assumptions necessary for friction Ans: 1.85,0.65
circle method of analysis would include Ans :
(a)1, 3 and 4(b)1, 3 and 5
0.108 =
(c) 2 and 4 (d) 2 and 5 0.136 =
12. Consider the following statements
associated with stability of slope: 1.
Stability number is inversely proportional 16. What inclination is required where a
to cohesion and directly proportional to filling 12m high is to be constructed
height. having a factor of safety of 1.25? the soil
2. Swedish method of analysis is based on has c= 20KN/ , = , =17.0KN/
circular failure surface. the stability number for = is equal
3. The Cullman method assumes that to 0.63 when the slope is and 0.098
rupture will occur in a plane. when the slope is .
Which of these statements are correct? Ans:
(a)2 and 3 (b)1 and 3 F =1.25
(c)1 and 2 (d)1, 2 and 3
Ans : ( C ) For

13. Taylor’s stability number Sn is given by

which one of the following expressions?
(c is cohesion, Fc is factor of safety, is
density of soil and H, the height of the
slope).
(a) (b)

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-51C

21. A vertical cut is made in a clay deposit

(c=30KN/ , =16KN/ ). Find
the maximum height of the cut which can
17. A cutting of depth of 10m is to be made in be temporarily supported.
soil which has c= 30KN/ Ans: 7.18m
=19KN/ and =0. There is a hard
stratum below the original soil surface at a 22. A cut of depth 10m is made in a cohesive
depth of 12m. Find the safe of cutting if soil deposit (c=30KN/ ,
the factor of safety is 1.50. For =1.20, =19KN/ ). There is a hard
= 0.143 for and, = 0.101 for stratum under the cohesive soil at a depth
. of 12m below the original ground surface.
Ans: If the required factor of safety is 1.50,
determine the safe slope.
Ans: 0.105

X= 23. Determine the factor of safety with respect

= to cohesion if an embankment 25m high
18. A vertical cut is to be made in clayey soil and having a slope of
for which tests gave (c=40KN/ , =18KN/ and
c=30KN/ , =16KN/ and =0. Find = ).
the maximum height for which the cut Ans: 2.01
may be temporarily unsupported. For =0,
and , the value of stability number 0.097 =
is 0.261 24. Determine the factor of safety with respect
Ans: 7.18m to cohesion if an embankment 25m high
and having a slope of is subjected to
0.261= sudden drawdown ( c= 40KN/ ,
19. When is the factor of safety for a and =18KN/ .)
slope 12m high in a clay Ans:
(c=50KN/ , =18KN/ and =0)
having a rock stratum at a depth of 12m
below the toe? =2.0 and , the
value of is equal to 0.177.
Ans: 1.3
0.177=
20. A long natural slope in an over
consolidated clay ( ,
) is inclined at
to the horizontal. The water table is at
the surface and the seepage is parallel to
the slope. If a plane slip had developed at 25. A soil mass is resting on an inclined
a depth of 5m below the surface, impermeable clay layer, as shown in fig.
determine the factor of safety. Take Determine the factor of safety against
wedge failure along the interface. The soil
Ans: 1.90 has c= 6KN/ , and
F= =17KN/
Ans: 2.16
= =1.90

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-51C

26. An embankment is to be made of a soil

which has the following shear strength
parameters under the existing conditions:
,
If It is assumed that different margins of =
safety are available for cohesion
component and friction component of
shearing strength and the mobilized values
of cohesion and friction are: = =
22KN/ , = , what is the factor of
safety with respect to (a) cohesion and (b) 28. A canal having side slopes 1 to 1 is
friction? proposed to be constructed in a cohesive
If the average value of normal effective soil to a depth of 5m below ground
stress on the failure surface is 120KN/ , surface. The soil properties are given
what is the value of (a) true factor of below:
safety, ( ) when =1 and (c) and =
when =1? =12KN/
Ans: 1.31, 1.95 =1.0
W= =60.8 KN =2.65
Length of sliding plane Using Taylor’s stability number, find the
x = factor of safety with respect to cohesion
against failure of the bank slopes,
S=Shearstrength=
(a) When the canal is full of water and
(b) When there is a sudden drawdown of
5.91 =55.51 KN
water in the canal.
T = sliding force = 60.8 KN
Ans: 8.1KN/ , a=3.7, b=1.06
F= =
a) F=
27. A granular soil has ,
. A slope has to be made of this 1.3 = i=
material. If a factor of safety of 1.3 is It is same for dry and submerged
needed against slope failure, determine the case
safe angle of the slope (a) when the slope
b) F =
is dry or submerged without seepage, (b)
( )
if seepage occurs at and parallel to the 1.3 =
surface of the slope. If seepage occurs
parallel to the slope with the water table at c)
a depth of 1.5m, what is the factor of
safety available on a slip plane parallel to
the ground surface at a depth of 4m? W= [ ( )]
assume
Ans: 0.5326, 14.60, 0.426
S= =
28.11KN
a)
T = 45.47 =
b) 31.51

When ⁄ F = =

a) 29. An infinite slope in a sandy soil is inclined

at to the horizontal. The properties of
the soil are:
=
=0,
b)
=17KN/ =21KN/ .

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
A hard layer exists 5m below and parallel
to the surface. What is the factor of safety
against slip when (a) the slope has
negligible water in it, (b) the slope is
completely submerged with seepage
parallel to the surface and (c) the water
table level is parallel to the ground surface
at 2.5m depth, seepage being parallel?
Ans :
⁄
= 17.9-9.81 =8.1 ⁄ with
)
c) When there is a sudden draw
down
30. An infinite slope is to be constructed of a
clay soil. The ground water level is at the
ground surface itself, with seepage parallel
to the ground. The soil properties are:
=15KN/ , , =20KN/
What is the factor of safety against
movement along a plane to the ground
surface at depths of 4m and 5.5m?
Ans :
a) F= =
b) F =
( )
= =0.987
c)
F=
31. Find the critical angle of an infinite slope
in a clay soil having =20KN/ ,
, =2.72 and e=0.9 for the following
cases:
(a) Soil is dry,
(b) The slope is submerged with seepage
parallel to the surface.
JH ACADEMY
MODULE-51C
32. A cutting is to be made in a soil deposit
for a depth of 15m in a homogeneous soil
with the following properties:
=25KN/ and = ,
(a) If a true factor of safety of 1.5 is
needed against slope failure, what is
the steepest slope angle that can be
provided?
(b) For this slope, what would be the
factor of safety with respect to
cohesion?
33. An embankment is to be made from a soil
=20KN/ and = ,
. If a factor of safety of 1.5 with
respect to shear strength is required for the
embankment slope, determine
(a) The limiting height of the slope if
built at a slope angle of and
(b) The steepest angle of the slope if the
embankment height is to be kept at
18m.
34. A cutting 8m deep is to be made in a
saturated clay soil with =20KN/ ,
=28KN/ and =0. A hard stratum
exists at a depth of 12m below ground
level. Determine the angle of the slope at
which failure would occur. If a factor of
safety of 1.4 is required, what maximum
slope angle can be permitted?
35. An embankmentof 12m height with side
slopes of 1:1 is to be built of a saturated
clay, whose properties are as follows:
=20KN/ , =28KN/ and
The slope is presently completely
submerged, but it is anticipated that a
‘sudden complete drawdown’ may occur
in future and the water table may reach
below the toe of the slope. Determine
(a) The factor of safety with respect to
height corresponding to the
submerged and sudden drawdown
cases, and
(b) The factor of safety with respect to
shear strength corresponding to the
submerged and sudden drawdown
cases.
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