Circular Failure Mechanisms

Graphical Solutions
and

Infinite Slopes

Stability Number
The stability of homogeneous slopes is a function of

Stability Number
The stability of homogeneous slopes is a function of
the slope geometry

Stability Number
The stability of homogeneous slopes is a function of
the slope geometry
the stability number, N

Stability Number
The stability of homogeneous slopes is a function of
the slope geometry
the stability number, N
The stability number is a dimensionless group given by

c
H

Stability Number
H1

i1
c1 , 1

N1

c1
1H 1

Stability Number
H1

i1

N1

c1
1H 1

c1 , 1

H2

i2
c2 , 2

N2

c2
2H2

Stability Number
H1

i1

N1

c1
1H 1

c1 , 1

H2

i2

N2

c2
2H2

c2 , 2
If the slopes are geometrically similar, i1 = i2 and N1 = N2
the factor of safety of the two situations is the same

Stability Number
A variety of charted solutions exist for the simple
geometry considered above.
For the undrained (total stress) analysis of slopes
charts produced by Taylor are often used.
The charts are based on the analysis of circular
failure surfaces, and assume that soil strength is
given by a Mohr-Coulomb analysis
Tension cracks are not considered

Taylors Chart
0.35
(A)

H
DH=H , D=1

0.30

nH

DH (Case 2)

(B)

Typical cross section showing various cases

considered in Zone B
Case 1: The most dangerous of the circles passing
through the toe, represented by full lines in chart.
Where full lines do not appear, this case is not
appreciably different from Case 2
Case 2: Critical circle passing below the toe, represented
by long dashed lines in chart. Where long dashed lines
do not appear, the critical circle passes through the toe
Case 3: Surface of ledge or a strong stratum at the
elevation of the toe (D= 1), represented by short
dashed lines in chart

0.25
Stability Number c / HF

Case 2

Case 1
Case 3

0.20

Typical cross section

and failure arc in
Zone A Critical
circle passes
through toe and
stability number
represented in chart
by full lines

D=
For = 0 and 1<D<
see companion Fig.

0.15

0.10

0.05

10

20

30 40 50 60 70
Slope Angle i (degrees)

80

90

Taylors Chart - example

2

30

8m

cu = 20 kN/m
o
u = 5
3
=
15
kN/
m
bulk

Use chart with i = 30 degrees, = 5 degrees

nH
Case 2

Case 3

Taylors Chart

Typical cross section showing various cases

considered in Zone B
Case 1: The most dangerous of the circles passing
through the toe, represented by full lines in chart.
Where full lines do not appear, this case is not
appreciably different from Case 2
Case 2: Critical circle passing below the toe, represented
by long dashed lines in chart. Where long dashed lines
do not appear, the critical circle passes through the toe
Case 3: Surface of ledge or a strong stratum at the
elevation of the toe (D= 1), represented by short
dashed lines in chart

0.25
Stability Number c / HF

(B)

0.20

through toe and

stability number
represented in chart
by full lines

D=
For = 0 and 1<D<
see companion Fig.

0.15

0.10

0.05

10

20

30 40 50 60 70
Slope Angle i (degrees)

80

90

Taylors Chart - example

2

30

8m

cu = 20 kN/m
o
u = 5
3
=
15
kN/
m
bulk

Use chart with i = 30 degrees, = 5 degrees

Hence

c
011
.
HF

Taylors Chart - example

2

8m

30

cu = 20 kN/m
o
u = 5
3
=
15
kN/
m
bulk

Use chart with i = 30 degrees, = 5 degrees

Hence

c
011
.
HF

c
20
F

15
.
HN
15 8 011
.

Taylors Chart - example

Zones are marked on the chart indicating whether the
failure mode will be shallow or deep-seated.
If a deep-seated failure is indicated the soil layer
must be sufficiently deep to enable this mechanism to
occur.
There is a second chart due to Taylor which can be
used when the depth of soil below the base of the
slope is limited
This chart is only valid for = 0

0.19
i= 53

0.18

For i > 54 use Companion Fig. with Zone A

Stability Number c / HF

0.17
0.16
0.15
0.14
nH

0.13

0.12

Case A. Use full lines of chart,

short dashed lines give n values

0.11

0.10
0.09

DH

DH

Case B. Use long dashed lines of chart

3
Depth Factor D

Taylors Chart - example with finite depth

2

8m

30

2m

Rock

Calculate the Depth Factor D

cu = 20 kN/m
u = 0
3
=
15
kN/
m
bulk

Taylors Chart - example with finite depth

2

8m

30

2m

Rock

Calculate the Depth Factor D

DH = 10 m

DH

cu = 20 kN/m
u = 0
3
=
15
kN/
m
bulk

Taylors Chart - example with finite depth

2

8m

30

2m

Rock

Calculate the Depth Factor D

DH = 10 m, H = 8m
D = 1.25

DH

cu = 20 kN/m
u = 0
3
=
15
kN/
m
bulk

Stability Number c / HF

0.17
0.16
0.15
0.14
nH

0.13

0.12

Case A. Use full lines of chart,

short dashed lines give n values

0.11

0.10
0.09

DH

DH

Case B. Use long dashed lines of chart

3
Depth Factor D

Taylors Chart - example with finite depth

2

8m

30

DH

2m

Rock

c
0155
.
and F = 1.075
HF

cu = 20 kN/m
u = 0
3
=
15
kN/
m
bulk
D = 1.25

Taylors Chart - example with finite depth

2

8m

30

DH

2m

cu = 20 kN/m
u = 0
3
=
15
kN/
m
bulk
D = 1.25

Rock

c
0155
.
and F = 1.075
HF
if = 0 and D =

then N = 0.181 and F = 0.92

0.19
i= 53

0.18

For i > 54 use Companion Fig. with Zone A

Stability Number c / HF

0.17
0.16
0.15
0.14
nH

0.13

0.12

Case A. Use full lines of chart,

short dashed lines give n values

0.11

0.10
0.09

DH

DH

Case B. Use long dashed lines of chart

3
Depth Factor D

Effective stress analysis

Effective stress analysis is dependent on the groundwater
conditions.
Charts have been published for several different situations
One of these sets of charts, due to Hoek and Bray, is
considered here
Charts are available for a range of groundwater conditions
from totally dry to totally saturated

Groundwater Flow Conditions

Chart No.
1

Fully drained

2
S u r fa c e w a te r 8 x s lo p e
h e i g h t b e h in d t o e o f s lo p e

3
S u r fa c e w a te r 4 x s lo p e
h e i g h t b e h in d t o e o f s lo p e

4
S u r fa c e w a te r 2 x s lo p e
h e i g h t b e h in d t o e o f s lo p e

5
S a tu r a te d s l o p e su b je c te d
to h e a v y s u r f a c e re c h a r g e

Hoek and Bray charts

In addition to assumed groundwater conditions it is
assumed
Circular failure passing through toe of slope
Soil is homogeneous
Soil strength given by Mohr-Coulomb criterion
Vertical tension crack can occur in upper surface or in
slope face

2.0

CIRCULAR FAILURE CHART NUMBER 1

1.8

c/ H.tan

1.6

1.4

tan /F

1.2

1.0

90

0.8
80

0.6
70
60

0.4

50
40

0.2

20

30

10

c/ HF

Hoek and Bray Chart - example

2

20 o

10 m

cu = 20 kN/m
o
u = 5
2
c = 2 kN/m
o
= 25
3
bulk = 16 kN/m

Effective stress analysis, must use c and

Hoek and Bray Chart - example

2

20 o

10 m

cu = 20 kN/m
o
u = 5
2
c = 2 kN/m
o
= 25
3
bulk = 16 kN/m

Effective stress analysis, must use c and

Determine chart - No 3 in this example

Hoek and Bray Chart - example

2

20 o

10 m

cu = 20 kN/m
o
u = 5
2
c = 2 kN/m
o
= 25
3
bulk = 16 kN/m

Effective stress analysis, must use c and

Determine chart - No 3 in this example
Calculate

c
2

0.027
H tan
16 10 tan 25

0.8
tan
F

80

0.6
70
60
0.4
30

40

50

20
0.2

c
HF

c/

Hoek and Bray Chart - example

2

10 m

20 o

From chart

either
or

c
00139
.
HF
tan
0518
.
F

cu = 20 kN/m
o
u = 5
2
c = 2 kN/m
o
= 25
3
bulk = 16 kN/m

Hoek and Bray Chart - example

2

10 m

20 o

From chart

either
or

Hence F = 0.9

c
00139
.
HF
tan
0518
.
F

cu = 20 kN/m
o
u = 5
2
c = 2 kN/m
o
= 25
3
bulk = 16 kN/m

Hoek and Bray Charts

If the water table is lowered to situation in chart 2, F = 1.1
Charts enable sensitivity of key parameters to be rapidly
investigated
Detailed design usually requires use of computer programs
Chart 1 is for a fully drained slope. However, this chart can
also be used for undrained, total stress, analyses.

Infinite Slopes
b

Soil Surface

s
o
c
b/

Water Table

W
d

dw

T
N
U

Assumed
failure
surface

Infinite Slopes
b

From equilibrium

s
o
c
b/

N = W cos = bd cos
T = W sin = bd sin

W
d

dw

T
N
U

Infinite Slopes
b

From equilibrium

s
o
c
b/

N = W cos = bd cos
T = W sin = bd sin

W
d

dw

T
N
U

N
b

cos
T

d cos2

cos

d sin cos

Infinite Slopes
b

Soil Surface

s
o
c
b/

Water Table

W
d

dw

T
dwcos 2

dwcos

Assumed
failure
surface

Infinite Slopes

dw
dwcos2
dwcos

Infinite Slopes

dw
dwcos
dwcos

w d w cos2

Infinite Slopes

dw
dwcos
dwcos

w d w cos2

U u b cos

w b d w cos

Infinite Slopes
On the failure plane

c + tan

Infinite Slopes
On the failure plane

c + tan

Defining the factor of Safety, F, by

shear stress required for failure

actual shear stress

Infinite Slopes
On the failure plane

c + tan

Defining the factor of Safety, F, by

c + ( d - w d w ) cos2 tan
d sin cos

shear stress required for failure

actual shear stress

Infinite Slopes
If c = 0
F =

w d w tan cs
1

d tan

Infinite Slopes
If c = 0

w d w tan cs
1

d tan

F =

If soil is dry, dw = 0

tan cs
tan

Infinite Slopes
If c = 0

w d w tan cs
1

d tan

F =

If soil is dry, dw = 0

tan cs
tan

At failure, F=1 and

cs

Infinite Slopes
If c = 0

w d w tan cs
1

d tan

F =

If soil is dry, dw = 0

tan cs
tan

At failure, F=1 and

cs
cs

Infinite Slopes
If c = 0
F =

w d w tan cs
1

d tan

Infinite Slopes
If c = 0
F =

w d w tan cs
1

d tan

If the water is at the soil surface, d = dw and when F = 1

w
tan 1
tan cs

Infinite Slopes
If c = 0
F =

w d w tan cs
1

d tan

If the water is at the soil surface, d = dw and when F = 1

w
tan 1
tan cs

For typical values it is found that is about 0.5

Infinite Slopes
If c = 0
F =

w d w tan cs
1

d tan

If the water is at the soil surface, d = dw and when F = 1

w
tan 1
tan cs

For typical values it is found that is about 0.5

Water reduces the stable angle of the slope by 50%