Elements of Soil Mechanics, 8th Edition

Examples 5.6 and 5.12

This spreadsheet is used to solve Examples 5.6 and 5.12.

Although the worksheets contain the data for Examples 5.6 & 5.12 from t
data may be changed so that the reader can see the effect of varying the
slip circle dimensions etc.
Select any worksheet to enter data and view results.
Ian Smith, Sept 2005

es 5.6 and 5.12.

for Examples 5.6 & 5.12 from the book, the

an see the effect of varying the soil properties,

ew results.

Ex 5.6; Conventional Method

Example 5.6
Slope Stability Assessment
Conventional Method

Slice
1
2
3
4
5

12 kPa
20
3
19.2 (kN/m )

z (m)
0.95
2.44
3.32
3.50
1.74

b (m)
2.35
2.35
2.35
2.35
2.35

Radius, R =
Angle, q =
Angle, q =

W (kN)
42.9
110.1
149.8
157.9
78.5

9.15 m
89 degrees
1.55 rads

a ()

cos a

sec a

hw (m)

ru

-10
4
20
35
57

0.985
0.998
0.940
0.819
0.545

1.015
1.002
1.064
1.221
1.836

0.654
1.958
2.440
2.020
0.246

0.352
0.410
0.376
0.295
0.072

Factor of safety =

1.33

W(cos a - ru sec a) x tan f'

c' =
f' =
g=

Other Data

cos a - ru sec a

Soil Properties

0.985
0.587
0.540
0.459
0.412
Total=

15.4
23.5
29.4
26.4
11.8
106.5

sin a
-0.174
0.070
0.342
0.574
0.839
Total=

W(sin a)
-7.4
7.7
51.2
90.6
65.8
207.9

Ex 5.6; Rigorous Method

Example 5.6
Slope Stability Assessment
Rigorous Method
Other Data
Soil Properties

Slice
1
2
3
4
5

Radius, R =
Angle, q =
Angle, q =
First Trial F, F1 =

12 kPa
20
3
19.2 (kN/m )

z (m)
0.95
2.44
3.32
3.50
1.74

b (m)
2.35
2.35
2.35
2.35
2.35

W (kN)
42.9
110.1
149.8
157.9
78.5

a ()
-10
4
20
35
57

sin a
-0.174
0.070
0.342
0.574
0.839

Factor of safety =

9.15 m
89 degrees
1.55 rads
1.50

(1)

(2)

W sin a
-7.4
7.7
51.2
90.6
65.8
207.9

c' b
28.2
28.2
28.2
28.2
28.2

1.42

(3)

hw (m)
0.654
1.958
2.440
2.020
0.246

ru
0.352
0.410
0.376
0.295
0.072

W (1 - ru) tan f'

c' =
f' =
g=

10.1
23.6
34.0
40.5
26.5

(4)

(2) + (3)
38.3
51.8
62.2
68.7
54.7

Ex 5.6; Rigorous Method

(5)

(6)
(4) x (5)

seca
tan f ' tan a
1
F
sec a
1.015
1.002
1.064
1.221
1.836

tan a
-0.176
0.070
0.364
0.700
1.540

F=
1.50
1.061
0.986
0.978
1.043
1.337

F=
1.43
1.063
0.985
0.974
1.036
1.319

F=
1.42
1.063
0.985
0.974
1.035
1.317

F=
1.50
40.6
51.1
60.9
71.7
73.1
297.5

F=
1.43
40.7
51.1
60.6
71.2
72.2
295.8

F=
1.42
40.7
51.1
60.6
71.2
72.1
295.6

Ex 5.12; EC7 DA1-2; Conventionl

Example 5.12
Slope Stability Assessment
Conventional Method

Partial Factors

g=

Slice
1
2
3
4
5

12 kPa
20
3
19.2 (kN/m )

z (m)
0.95
2.44
3.32
3.50
1.74

b (m)
2.35
2.35
2.35
2.35
2.35

Radius, R =
Angle, q =
Angle, q =

W (kN)
42.9
110.1
149.8
157.9
78.5

9.15 m
89 degrees
1.55 rads

Earth resistance, gRe =

a ()

cos a

sec a

hw (m)

ru

-10
4
20
35
57

0.985
0.998
0.940
0.819
0.545

1.015
1.002
1.064
1.221
1.836

0.654
1.958
2.440
2.020
0.246

0.352
0.410
0.376
0.295
0.072

Over-design factor =

1.00

On material properties/resistances
Coef. of shearing resistance, g' =
1.25
effective cohesion, gC' =
1.25

1.07

W(cos a - ru sec a) x tan f'

c' =
f' =

On actions
Permanent, unfavourable, gG =

Other Data

cos a - ru sec a

Characteristic Soil Properties

0.985
0.587
0.540
0.459
0.412
Total=

12.3
18.8
23.6
21.1
9.4
85.2

1.00

sin a
-0.174
0.070
0.342
0.574
0.839
Total=

W(sin a)
-7.4
7.7
51.2
90.6
65.8
207.9

Ex 5.12; EC7 DA1-2; Conventionl

Design Soil Properties

c'd =
f'd =

9.6 kPa
16.23

Ex 5.12; EC7 DA1-2; Rigorous

Example 5.12
Slope Stability Assessment
Rigorous Method

Partial Factors
Other Data

On actions
Permanent, unfavourable, gG =

Soil Properties

g=

Slice
1
2
3
4
5

Radius, R =
Angle, q =
Angle, q =

12 kPa
20
3
19.2 (kN/m )

z (m)
0.95
2.44
3.32
3.50
1.74

b (m)
2.35
2.35
2.35
2.35
2.35

First Trial F, F1 =

W (kN)
42.9
110.1
149.8
157.9
78.5

a ()
-10
4
20
35
57

Over-design factor =

9.15 m
89 degrees
1.55 rads

On material properties/resistances
Coef. of shearing resistance, g' =
1.25
effective cohesion, gC' =
1.25

1.50

sin a
-0.174
0.070
0.342
0.574
0.839

Earth resistance, gRe =

(1)

(2)

W sin a
-7.4
7.7
51.2
90.6
65.8
207.9

c' b
22.6
22.6
22.6
22.6
22.6

1.14

(3)

hw (m)
0.654
1.958
2.440
2.020
0.246

ru
0.352
0.410
0.376
0.295
0.072

W (1 - ru) tan f'

c' =
f' =

1.00

8.1
18.9
27.2
32.4
21.2

1.00

(4)

(2) + (3)
30.7
41.5
49.8
55.0
43.8

sec a
1.015
1.002
1.064
1.221
1.836

Ex 5.12; EC7 DA1-2; Rigorous

Design Soil Properties

c'd =
f'd =

9.6 kPa
16.23

(5)

(6)
(4) x (5)

seca
tan f ' tan a
1
F
tan a
-0.176
0.070
0.364
0.700
1.540

F=
1.50
1.051
0.989
0.994
1.075
1.414

F=
1.17
1.062
0.985
0.976
1.040
1.328

F=
1.14
1.063
0.985
0.974
1.036
1.318

F=
1.50
32.2
41.0
49.5
59.1
61.9
243.7

F=
1.17
32.5
40.9
48.6
57.2
58.1
237.3

F=
1.14
32.6
40.8
48.5
57.0
57.7
236.6

This spreadsheet has been downloaded from the website that supports
Smith's Elements of Soil Mechanics, 8th Edition
Published by Blackwell Publishing, May 2006
ISBN: 1-4051-3370-8
Visit the website:
http://sbe.napier.ac.uk/esm

Purchase the book:

(Blackwell Publishing website)

Please note:
This spreadsheet is an aid for learning and should really only be
used in conjunction with the relevant section in the book.
It is not intended for use in geotechnical design.
Ian Smith, May 2006

http://sbe.napier.ac.uk/esm