CE 303 GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING - II

2 2 STABILITY OF EARTH 2.2. SLOPES

by Dr. T. Venkata Bharat, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering IIT Guwahati, Guwahati Guwahati-781039 Guwahati 781039

METHODS OF STABILITY ANALYSIS

Limit Equilibrium Method (choice of analysis here!)

based on equilibrium of forces requires knowledge of statics soil is considered to be on the verge of failure

Limit Analysis based on Plasticity

based on equilibrium of stresses requires numerical methods generally, analysis is done using software packages such as Plaxis, Geostuido (Slope/w) etc.
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STABILITY OF INFINITE SLOPE

Infinite slopes have dimensions great distances that extend over g as compared to their depth The assumption of an infinite length simplifies the analysis considerably. A representative i section i of f infinite i fi i slope l is i considered in the figure. In order to use LEM for the analysis analysis, the failure mechanism should be postulated first. It is reasonable to assume that failure occurs on a plane parallel to slope.
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STABILITY OF INFINITE SLOPE

A slice of soil is considered between the surface of p and the assumed slip pp plane as shown in the slope figure in the previous slide. Draw free-body diagram of forces acting on this slice and then formulate equilibrium equations.

STABILITY OF INFINITE SLOPE

The factor of safety (F) of a slope is defined as the g of the soil (f) ratio of the available shear strength to the minimum shear strength to maintain stability (mobilized strength, m

f F= m

where

f = n tan
f = Su

for Effective Stress Analysis (ESA) for Total Stress Analysis (TSA)

Case I: ESA without the effect of seepage forces

tan F= tan

at limitequilibrium

=
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STABILITY OF INFINITE SLOPE

Case II: ESA with the effect of seepage forces (Js)

Let L t us now consider id groundwater d t within ithi the th sliding lidi mass and assume that the seepage is parallel to the slope. The seepage force is given by

from Statics, Statics

At limit equilibrium,
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STABILITY OF INFINITE SLOPE

Case III: TSA

Th shear The h stress t on the th slip li plane l for f a TSA is i

The factor of safety F for TSA is given by:

At limit equilibrium,
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Critical value of z occurs at:

INFINITE SLOPES SALIENT POINTS

The maximum stable slope in a coarse-grained , in the absence of seepage p g , is equal q to the soil, friction angle of the soil. The maximum stable slope in a coarse-grained soil, in presence of seepage, is roughly half of the friction angle of the soil. The critical slope angle in fine-grained soils is 45 and the critical depth is equal to the depth of the tension cracks 2su/. Infinite slope mechanism is usually not observed for fine-grained g soils. For such soils, , rotational failure mechanism is more common.

INFINITE SLOPE AN EXAMPLE

Dry sand is to be dumped from a truck on the side y The p properties p of the sand are = of a roadway. 30, = 17 kN/m3 and sat = 17.5 kN/m3. Determine the maximum slope angle of the sand in (a) the dry state, state (b) the saturated state, state without seepage and (c) the saturated state if groundwater is present and seepage occurs parallel to the slope towards d the h toe of f the h slope. l What Wh is i the h safe f slope l in the dry state for a factor of safety of 1.25? (will be solved in the class)
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ROTATIONAL SLOPE FAILURE

Slopes made up of homogenous fine fine-grained grained soils have been observed to fail through a rotational f il failure mechanism. h i The failure surface is assumed to be circular (top right) or noncircular (bottom right). The analysis also takes into account the presence of a phreatic h i surface f within i hi the h sliding mass.

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STABILITY ANALYSIS OF A ROTATIONAL FAILURE

A free-body diagram of the assumed circular g (W) ( ) of the soil mechanism would show the weight within the sliding mass acting at the centre of mass. If seepage is present, the seepage forces (Js) would be present. The forces resisting the clockwise rotation of the sliding mass are the shear forces mobilized by the soil along the circular slip surface. We must now use statics to determine whether the g moments created by y W and Js exceed disturbing the restoring moment provided by the soil.

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u = 0 Analysis y
Q (kN) dQ dw

cuLa r F= Wd
cuLa r F= Wd + QdQ
Presence of load, Q

cuLa r F= Wd + Pw dw
Presence of crack

cuLa r F= Wd + QdQ + Pw dw
Presence of load and crack

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FRICTION-CIRCLE METHOD
Considered forces:

Weight of soil mass in failure zone, W Sum of cohesive forces acting ti parallel ll l to t chord h d AB, Cm The resultant of frictional forces, R

Factor of safety equation ti is i based b d on:

c tan m = = + F Fc F
such that F = Fc = F

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FRICTION-CIRCLE METHOD

Important relations c C m = ( Chord Ch dLength L th) AB Fc Procedure:

LCm

tan ( ArcLength) AB = r tan = F ( ChordLength) AB

Assume a failure plane such as ABDA Obtain the weight of soil mass, W, in the failure zone by graphical techniques Find the direction (parallel to chord AB) and distance of Cm from center, O Assume F and draw friction circle with radius rSin Find the direction of R (passes through intersection of W and Cm, and runs tangent to -circle) Draw force polygon and find the magnitude of Cm Obtain Fc and compare with assumed F Change the value of F and repeat the procedure till Fc = F

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METHOD OF SLICES

One approach that is commonly used to analyze g mass into rotational failure is to divide the sliding an arbitrary number of vertical slices and then sum the forces and moments of each slice.

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METHOD OF SLICES

Of course, the larger the number of slices, the y of our solution. better the accuracy However, dividing the sliding mass into a number of vertical slices poses new problems. We now have to account for the internal or interfacial forces between two adjacent slices. Lets now attempt to draw a free-body diagram of an arbitrary vertical slice and examine the f forces acting i on this hi slice. li
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FORCES ACTING ON A VERTICAL SLICE

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METHOD OF SLICES KNOWN QUANTITIES

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METHOD OF SLICES UNKNOWN QUANTITIES

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METHOD OF SLICES

If there are n slices, we have to obtain the values of p 6n-1 parameters. However, we only have 4n number of equations. That leaves us with 2n-1 2n 1 unknowns. unknowns Therefore, the problem is statically indeterminate. indeterminate For example, if there are 10 slices, well have 6x101=59 1 59 unknowns but only 10x4 10x4=40 equations. equations Therefore, in order to obtain a solution, we have to a e ce certain ta s simplifying p y g assu assumptions pt o s o or use an a make iterative method

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METHOD OF SLICES

Several solution methods have been developed p g on the assumptions p made about the depending unknown parameters and which equilibrium condition (force, moment or both) have been satisfied. satisfied Tables on the next two pages provide a summary of methods that have been proposed. proposed Computer programs (such as SLOPE/W or XSTABL) are available for all the methods listed in the table.
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SWEDISH CIRCLE METHOD

Forces acting on a slice:

Weight of soil mass Cohesive forces (C) in the opposite to the direction of probable b bl wedge d movement Reaction (R) at the base inclined at to the normal, assuming slippage is imminent The interslice reaction forces are equal and opposite Sh Shear f forces at the h inter-slice i li are assumed d to be b zero
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Assumptions:

SWEDISH CIRCLE METHOD

Factor of safety:

F=

cb sec
j =1 n j =1

+ Wj cos j tan
j j

W sin

It may be noted that the tangential component, Tj, and base angle, j, may be negative for few slices

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SWEDISH CIRCLE METHOD

N and T curves:

N = A
T = A

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where AN and AT are areas of N- and T- diagrams, respectively

RIGOROUS METHODS

Bishop's Simplified J b ' Simplified Janbu's Si lifi d Janbu's Generalized Spencer Morgenstern-Price General Limit Equilibrium (GLE) Corps of Engineers Lowe-Karafiath
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BISHOPS SIMPLIFIED

The effect of forces acting on the sides of the individual slices are taken into account Disregards the shear forces on the inter-slices (X1 = X2 = 0) Method satisfies moment equilibrium and vertical force equilibrium

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BISHOPS SIMPLIFIED

Factor of Safety:

F=

1 cj bj + (Wj ubj ) tan j =1 m i W sin

j =1 j j n

where m = (1 + tan tan F ) cos

As F appears on both A b th the th sides, id it iterative ti approach hi is required i d by assuming the F and finding the value. The assumed value is compared against the computed. The process is continues until both the values match
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INTERSLICE FORCES

Interslice shear forces are required to calculate the normal force at the base of each slice. The interslice shear force (Xi) is computed as a percentage of the interslice normal force (Ei) according to the following g empirical p equation q p proposed p by y Morgenstern and Price (1965):

where: = the percentage (in decimal form) of the function used and used, f(x) = interslice force function representing the relative direction of the resultant interslice force

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VARIOUS INTERSLICE FORCE FUNCTIONS

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METHODS OF SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS

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ASSUMPTIONS IN VARIOUS METHODS

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COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT METHODS

Provided in the Additional_read folder in CE303 dropbox link

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DESIGN CHARTS

Slope stability analysis based on design charts is useful

for preliminary analysis for rapid means of checking the results of detailed analyses to compare alternates that can later be examined by rigorous analysis to determine the approximate value of the F as it allows some quality control check for the subsequent computer-generated solutions To back-calculate strength values for failed slopes to aid in planning remedial measures
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DESIGN CHARTS
Taylors chart (1948) Bishop & Morgenstern (1960) Spencer (1967) Janbu (1968) ( ) Hunter & Schuster (1968) Chen & Giger (1971) OConnor & Mitchell (1977) Cousins (1978) Charles Ch l & Soares S ( 98 ) (1984) Barnes (1991)

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DESIGN CHARTS
Taylors chart (1948) Bishop & Morgenstern (1960) Spencer (1967) Janbu (1968) ( ) Hunter & Schuster (1968) Chen & Giger (1971) OConnor & Mitchell (1977) Cousins (1978) Charles Ch l & Soares S ( 98 ) (1984) Barnes (1991)

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TAYLORS CHARTS (1948) ( )

Taylors charts provide the stability values in terms y number, , Sn using g friction-circle of stability method
Condition:

F = Fc = F
Analysis by these charts is valid for simple sections and homogeneous soils In general,

failure surface passes through the toe when the slope is steep base failure (failure extends below toe) occurs when p are flatter or/and firm stratum exists either the slopes below the toe

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TAYLORS CHARTS (1948) ( )

Fig. Conceptual section by Taylor

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next figure

= 0 Analysis:

TAYL LORS CHART TS (19 948)

Stability number

In terms of F.S.

c c Fc = = cd Ns H

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c'' Analysis:

TAYL LORS CHART TS (19 948)

In terms of F.S.

c c Fc = = cd Ns H

F = d

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PROBLEM - 1

Given a soil slope with height, H = 12 m, DH = 18 m, = 300, c = 58 kPa, kPa = 19 kN/m3, find
F of S The distance from toe to the point where critical circle appears on the ground F of S, if there are heavy loadings outside the toe.

(solve it during the tutorial class)

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PROBLEM - 2

Given a soil slope with height, H = 12 m, = 300, c , = 200, and = 19 kN/m3. What is the = 24 kPa, factor of safety of the slope?

(solve it during the tutorial class)

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SPENCERS CHARTS (1967) ( )

Based on solutions computed using Spencers , which satisfies complete p equilibrium q method, Charts are used to determine the required slope angle for a preselected F of S Solutions for three different pore pressure ratios, ru: 0, 0.25, 0.5.

Pore water pressure ratio (ru) is the ratio of pore water force on a slip surface to the total force due to weight of the soil and any external loading

Assumption: firm stratum is at great depth below the slope

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Spencers s chart ts (196 67)

Developed friction: d = tan-1(tan/F)

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PROBLEM - 3

Given a slope with height H = 18 m, c = 9.6 kPa, , determine the = 300, = 19.6 kN/m3, ru = 0.25, maximum slope angle for F of S of 1.5.

( l it (solve i during d i the h tutorial i l class) l )

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PROBLEM FOR ASSIGNMENT - 1

Given a soil slope with height, H = 12 m, = 300, c , = 200, and = 19 kN/m3, find the factor = 24 kPa, of safety of the slope using the following methods:

u = 0 analysis Friction-circle method Swedish circle method Bishops simplified method

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