Some Notes on STABL for Windows 3.

0 New features

































TheOptions/Geometry Plot submenus let the user activate or deactivate the display of the
segment numbers and data points that compose the geometry plot. Notice that these options only
affect the display in the Geometry tab. This is the plot the user should use to make sure that
the data reflects the intended profile.

The other tabs where slip surfaces appear never display any segment numbering or data points.






Right clicking the mouse over the plots

Right clicking the mouse over a plot will bring up a small menu with options to copy the graphic
into the clipboard, insert or delete an annotation, activate the display of soil properties when the
user clicks on the graphic and to redraw the image.

The Activate Soil Properties Display option, when checked, allows the user to identify what
that soil is, see its shear strength properties and the segment number and coordinates that is
associated with that soil, just by clicking on it with the mouse. It is mostly intended to help the
user find when segments are entered out of order or incorrectly.




As one can see below, there is an obvious error in the geometry as entered. By clicking on the
vertical column of soil that seems to be obviously out of place, the user will see that the culprit is
segment 27, associated with soil 2. It is incorrectly ordered.



The colors associated with the soils can be changed by the user, and saved, using the menu
Options/Soil Colors.







STABL FOR WINDOWS 2.0
MANUAL











GEOTECHNICAL SOFTWARE
SOLUTIONS
2001













STABL FOR WINDOWS
VERSION 2.0
USERS MANUAL

Geotechnical Software Solutions, LLC



2



Disclaimer:
This program was developed by Geotechnical Software Solutions, LLC.
Although this software has been tested considerably to ensure its accuracy,
GSS accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the results obtained from
its use. It is the user's responsibility to check and evaluate the validity and
applicability of the results.

3
Table of Contents: Page

STABL FOR WINDOWS INTERFACE 6
ABOUT STABL FOR WINDOWS 7
INSTALATION INSTRUCTIONS 7
RUNNING STABL FOR WINDOWS 7
GETTING UP TO SPEED 7
Starting the Program 7
Minimum Data Set 8
CHOICE OF ANALYTICAL METHOD AND SURFACE GENERATION
MODEL 8
FACTOR OF SAFETY HISTOGRAM 9
MAIN FEATURES OF THE PROGRAM 10
Unit System Selection 10
Soil Profile 11
Soil Properties 13
Water Tables 14
Boundary Loads 15
Seismic Loads 16
Tiebacks 17
Geosynthetics 18
Soil Nails 19
Analysis 20
Menu Bar Options 21
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE OF STABL FOR WINDOWS 25

REFERENCE MANUAL 26

PROBLEM GEOMETRY 27
Profile Boundaries 27
Piezometric Surfaces 31

SOIL PARAMETERS 34
Anisotropic Soil 35

BOUNDARY LOADS 37
SOIL REINFORCEMENT 39
Soil Nailing 39
Geosynthetic Reinforcement 40



4
TIEBACK LOADS 40
Description of the Tieback Routines 43
TIES Input Restrictions 47

EARTHQUAKE LOADING 47

SEARCHING ROUTINES 48
Circular and Irregular Surfaces 48
Sliding Block Surfaces 53
Surface Generation Boundaries 58
Individual Failure Surface 58

BISHOP SIMPLIFIED METHOD 60
JANBU SIMPLIFIED METHOD 63
SPENCERS METHOD 65
Description of Spencers Method 65
SPENCR Option 68
SPENCR Input Restrictions 69

ASSUMPTIONS 70

DATA PREPARATION 74
Input for Each Command 74

ERROR MESSAGES 85
Command Sequence Errors 86
Free-Form Reader Error Codes 87
PROFIL Error Codes 87
WATER Error Codes 88
SURFAC Error Codes 88
LIMITS Error Codes 89
LOADS Error Codes 90
SOIL Error Codes 90
ANISO Error Codes 91
RANDOM and CIRCLE Error Codes 92
BLOCK Error Codes 93
TIES Error Codes 95
SPENCR Error Code 96


REFERENCES 97







5


















































6



















STABL for WINDOWS INTERFACE




























7
1. About STABL for Windows

STABL for Windows (SFW) is a Windows-based program that works under
Windows 95/98 or Windows NT; and it will also be available for Windows
2000. It uses as an engine the PCSTABL slope stability analysis program
from Purdue University. It allows calculations using Bishops Simplified,
Janbus and Spencers methods; and a variety of different slip surfaces.
Tiebacks, soil nails, and geosynthetics can also be used. STABL for
Windows is currently available in English. Versions in Spanish and Italian
will be available in the near future.

2. Installation Instructions

Place the CD in the CD drive. Either (a) click on setup within the CD folder
or (b) run setup from START, browsing to locate the setup installation file.
Follow the instructions from there on.

3. Running STABL for Windows

We recommend that you read this manual while running the program with
one of the example input files provided. This will help you get acquainted
with the program, particularly if you have never used STABL before. We
also strongly recommend that you first read the STABL for DOS manual.

STABL for Windows is designed for ease of use. We will continue to
improve the program with this goal in mind.
4. Getting up to speed

4.1. Starting the Program

When you run STABL for Windows, the main screen will display the
problem description elements on the left side and a blank graphical frame
on the right.

Your first step will usually be entering new geometry data or retrieving data
previously saved in a file. As soon as geometric data is available, it will be
automatically displayed in the graphical frame. Any modifications to the
geometric elements will be immediately reflected in the display.


8

The coordinates of a point can be determined either by referring to the
coordinate axes or by moving the mouse on top of the graphical
frame. When the mouse is placed on the graphic, the points
coordinates will be displayed in the small message panel
located below the graphical frame. This feature will help you
identify where to place other elements, such as loads or soil
reinforcements.

4.2. Minimum Data Set

There is a minimum amount of data (highlighted in Figure 1)
you need to input before you can successfully run a search for
the slopes critical slip surface. At a minimum, you must enter
data for the following:

1. Soil Profile
2. Soil Properties
3. At least one analytical model for the surface generation
routine

The data needed for the Soil Profile and Soil Properties
elements are discussed in detail in the original STABL manual,
as well as elsewhere in this manual.

At this time, it is important to understand how the selection
of the analytical model is made in
STABL for Windows.

5. Choice of Analytical Method and Surface Generation
Model

There are seven combinations of surface generation algorithms and
analytical models. The Spencer option must be used along with any of the
other six. You can enter data for as many different methods as you wish by
marking the respective checkboxes and pressing the Edit button. After
entering data for the methods you wish to use, you should choose which one
to run. This is done by pressing one of the square buttons on the right of the
desired model. Notice that only one model choice at a time will be possible,
even when you entered data for more than one model. The only exception is
Figure 1. Essential Data

9
the Spencer option, which will always be chosen along with one of the
other methods.

When you save the data in a file, all models with active checkmarks will be
saved. When you open a previously saved file, the model selected to run is
the last model for which data were supplied in the file (which is a text file
that the program reads and that you can also view using notepad or other
text-viewing program). Looking at Figure 1, the default choice to be run is
the Janbu Block, which was read in from the file after the Bishop
Circular option. Nevertheless, both options have data and are available for
running (you just need to click on the appropriate button).

After the search is finished, the graphical display will show all the surfaces
generated as a green cloud, as well as the ten most critical ones in black
and the most critical surface in red. The factor of safety will also be
displayed at the top, appended to the title of the project.

You can view only the ten most critical surfaces by clicking on the button
10 Most Critical. At any point the graphical display can be printed to the
default printer by using the File > Print Image submenu.

6. Factor of Safety Histogram



Figure 2: On the left, an unsuitable histogram distribution; on the right, a more
appropriate distribution, probably indicative of an effective search.

A histogram showing the percent distribution of calculated factors of safety for all
surfaces generated is automatically generated when a search is completed.This
histogram may be useful in determining whether the progressive search
refinements are indeed improving the number of surfaces being generated

10
close to the critical region. The user should run successive searches, refining
the search boundaries until the histogram displays the largest percentages of
surfaces with factors of safety close to the minimum (skewed to the left).
This indicates a higher chance that the minimum for the search is indeed the
minimum for the slope (Figure 2). Future versions will expand the statistical
capabilities of the program.

7. Main Features of the Program

7.1. Unit System Selection

You must always select a unit system (S.I. units or English Units) to be used
in the analysis (Figure 3). All the numbers entered will be expressed in the
selected unit system.

S.I.-based units commonly used in slope stability calculations include the
meter (m) for length and the Newton (N) for force. It follows that stress is
expressed in terms of the Pascal = N/m
2
. Since Newtons and Pascals are
somewhat small units, it is common to express stress in terms of one
thousand Pascals (the kilo Pascal kPa = kN/m
2
), and unit weights in terms of
one thousand Newtons per cubic meter (kN/m
3
).

English units are still often used in the United States. The feet (ft) and
pound (lb) are used to express length and force. Technically, the force unit
is actually pound-force, since pound is the unit of mass, but no such
distinction is usually made. Unit weights are expressed in terms of pounds
per cubic foot (pcf), and stresses, in terms of pounds per square feet (psf).

When you read from one of the example files or a file previously saved, the
unit system is automatically selected, based on the file termination (in or
si). For example, the file example2.in uses English units while sfwex1.si
uses the international unit system.You can open any of the examples used in
the STABL for DOS manual or the example referred to in this manual. If
you choose to open the file sfwex1.si, for example, all the information
provided in the input forms are shown graphically in a window. In this case,
as seen in Figure 3, you can observe the geometry of the slope, the soil
layers, the water table, and the boundary loads.





11



Figure 3. Main window with file sfwex1.si open.


7.2. Soil Profile

This selection allows you to define the soil layers composing the slope as
well as the slope geometry. It leads to a window (Figure 4) where you
should provide the following information:
(a) The title of your project;
(b) The total number of soil boundaries (these include segments on the
ground surface, which are considered soil boundaries); this number
will automatically generate the number of rows in a spreadsheet.
(c) The number of soil boundaries that are ground surface segments.
The rows in the spreadsheet corresponding to ground surface
segments will be identified with the word (Top) in parentheses.

For each soil boundary segment you need to provide:
(a) The abscissa of the left end-point of the segment;
(b) The ordinate of the left end-point of the segment;

12
(c) The abscissa of the right end-point of the segment;
(d) The ordinate of the right end-point of the segment;
(e) The number identifying the soil immediately under the segment;
each soil is named and its properties defined in the Soil Properties
Button.

You must click OK if you wish these properties to be saved. Be sure to
locate the slope in the first quadrant (see STABL for DOS manual). The toe
of the slope should always be to the left of the crest of the slope.

Figure 4. Soil profile window with file sfwex1.si open.

13
7.3. Soil Properties

SFW can handle either isotropic or anisotropic soils. The number of soils
generates the number of rows in the spreadsheet (Figure 5). Each row,
corresponding to one particular soil, requires a wet unit weight, a saturated
unit weight, a cohesive intercept, a friction angle, and one of three numbers:
the number of the water table to be used to calculate pore pressures within
the slope, the pressure head or the pore pressure ratio. We recommend
working with water tables, and not with pore pressure ratios, unless there is
strong reason to the contrary. Notice that water table numbers should
always be greater than 0, even if there is no water in the problem.

When there is water present in the problem, the Water Table number
entered in the soil properties section will be matched to the water tables
defined in the water section of the data.


Figure 5. Soil properties window with the file sfwex1.si open.



14
7.4. Water Tables

Use this button to define the groundwater pattern for the slope. The window
that opens when you make this selection requires the number of water tables
you are defining. Usually, only one water table is defined, but in some
special situations, such as when a perched water table is present, more than
one water table may be specified.
You must also state how many points you will use to define the position of
each groundwater table. When you click on Enter after you specify the
number of points, a spreadsheet opens on the right-hand side of the window
where you can enter the coordinates of each of those points (Figure 6).


Figure 6. Water Tables window with the file sfwex1.si open.

15
7.5. Boundary Loads

This button opens a window where you enter one or more boundary loads, if
present. In order to locate each load on the slope, you only need to specify
the left and right endpoints of the load. You also need to specify the
magnitude of the load; if a tangential component is present, an angle of
rotation of the load corresponding to the arc-tangent of the ratio of the shear
to the normal component of the load must be specified. Figure 7 illustrates
the window displayed when the Boundary Loads Button is clicked with the
file sfwex1.si open. Notice that the units for the loads must be consistent
with the unit system adopted.


Figure 7. Boundary loads window with file sfwex1.si open.






16
7.6. Seismic Loads

If subject to an earthquake, the slope is acted upon by inertial forces that are
related to the accelerations within the slope. In this window (Figure 8) you
enter the horizontal and vertical accelerations and the cavitation pressure.
Figure 8 shows the data used in the sfwex1.si example file.


Figure 8. Seismic loads window with the sfwex1.si file open.









17
7.7. Tiebacks

For this selection you will provide the number of tiebacks. This creates a
spreadsheet where the data for each tieback is needed (Figure 9). You need
to state which boundary segment the head of the tieback is in contact with
and the ordinate (Y) to define its location. The spacing between tiebacks
within a given line of tiebacks, the angle the tieback makes with the
horizontal and the free length are still needed to fully define the geometry of
the problem.

Figure 9. Tieback window.




18
7.8. Geosynthetics

Enter the number of groups of reinforcement that you will be defining. A
group is a set of reinforcement layers with the same length and properties.
For each group, enter the information discussed next (Figure 10)

(a) Group number: this refers to a group of geosynthetics with the same
characteristics.
(b) Number of the boundary segment where the geosynthetics intercept
the slope surface.
(c) The ordinate (Y) of the points where the bottom and top layer of the
geosynthetic group intercept the slope surface
(d) Number of geosynthetic elements between top and bottom.
(e) Length of the geosynthetics in the group.
(f)Allowable tensile strength (per unit length of slope) for the
geosynthetic layers in the group.
(g) Soil-geosynthetic coefficient of interaction.


Figure 10. Geosynthetics window.



19
7.9. Soil Nails

You will need to enter the number of nail groups for this selection. A group
is a set of soil nails with the same length and same properties. For each
group, provide the following information:

(a) Group number: this refers to a group of soil nails with the same characteristics.
(b) Number of the boundary segment where the nail group intercepts the slope surface.
(c) The ordinate (Y) of the bottom and top nail heads (located at the slope surface).
(d) Number of layers of nails in the group.
(e) Length of the soil nails in the group.
(f) Horizontal spacing between adjacent nails.
(g) Inclination of nails, measured clockwise from horizontal.
(h) Diameter of steel section of nails.
(i) Allowable tensile strength of nails.
(j) Side resistance along nail-soil interface.
(k) Diameter of nail borehole.
(l) Nail head condition (this defines the degree of interaction between the nail head and
the slope; a fixed head allows full transfer of loads between the two).
(m) For free nail head, specify the percent load transfer between the nail and head and the
slope surface.

Figure 11. Soil nails window.


20
7.10. Analysis

Figure 12. Bishops analysis with search for a critical circular surface with the data
introduced for file sfwex1.si.

Under the analysis heading, you can specify the type of analysis you wish to
perform (the options are Bishops Simplified Method, Janbus Method, or
Spencers Method), as well as the type of sliding mechanism to go with the
method. The sliding mechanism options are: circular failure surface, sliding
blocks, randomly shaped failure surface and user-defined failure surface.
Janbus method can be combined with sliding-block mechanisms, circular or
randomly shaped slip surfaces. Bishops method can only be used with
circular slip surfaces (Figure 12). Both methods can be used with a single
user-specified surface, but such a surface should be circular in the case of
Bishops method.

Once you have selected the method you wish to use in the analysis, click on
the button "Edit". Provide the information required in the window that
follows. This information is needed for the program to perform such
analysis. Figure 12 illustrates for the file sfwex1.si, the form displayed
when the "Edit" button is clicked with Bishops method selected.


21
If you select the option "deactivate" in the water tables, load, and
stabilization forms that have already been completed, the analysis will be
performed disregarding that data.


Having entered all the information required in the Edit forms, you can select
one method to run, and the desired analysis for the slope at hand will be
performed by clicking the "Run" button. Be sure to save your data before
you run the analysis.


7.11. Menu Bar Options

The menu bar (Figure 13) offers six options: File, Edit, Results, Transforms,
Units, and Random Generation.


Figure 13. Menu Bar of STABL for Windows 2.0.


1) In File, you find the following options: start a
new file, open an existing file, close a file, save a
file, save a file with a specific name, save an image
with a specific name, save a summary file, print an
image, and exit (Figure 14).

Figure 14. Option File.

2) You can either copy the plot of the problem you are working on to the
clipboard or save it to a file
using the option Edit > Image
Copy (Figure 15). If you
choose to save the image to a
file, five formats are available
(Figure 16).

Figure 15. Option Edit.
Figure 16. File extensions for saving a plot.


22
3) In Results, the option STABL 6 Output can be used to see the results
provided by STABL 6 for DOS.

4) The options available in Transforms,
Mirror and Translade, can be used to
manipulate the coordinates of a particular
problem (Figure 17). Figure 17. Option Transforms.

For example, input data from a problem whose geometry presents a slope
facing East can be used to initially set up the analysis (Figure 18). Then, by
using the command Mirror, the problems geometry can be rotated 180
o

(along an imaginary vertical axis), resulting in a slope facing West (Figure
19).

In those cases where the procedure previously mentioned will result in
negative values for the x-coordinates (see Figure 19), the command
Translade should be used sequentially to make sure all the coordinates lie
within the first quadrant (Figure 20). Detailed information on setting up a
problems geometry is presented in the STABL for DOS manual.

5) Units: the conversion of units from the English System to the S.I. System,
or vice-versa, can be easily performed at any stage by means of the option
Convert (Figure 21).

6) Random Generation








23

Figure 18. Geometry of a slope facing East (right side).


Figure 19. Use of command Mirror to manipulate the coordinates of the original
problem.

24

Figure 20. Use of command Translade to manipulate the coordinates of the original
problem.



Figure 21. Option Units


There are four buttons on top of the graphical display that can be selected at
any point during the analysis: Geometry, Generated Surfaces, 10 Most
Critical and FS Histogram.

Geometry is the default graphical display that will appear when you run the
program. The second and third options show all the surfaces generated in the
analysis (green lines) and the ten most critical failure surfaces (black lines),
respectively (Figure 22). The most critical one is shown in red.

Finally, there is the FS Histogram button that can be used to display the
results of the statistical analysis mentioned previously (item 6).


25

Figure 22. Critical failure surfaces for the sfwex1.si example.

8. General Recommendations for Use of STABL for
Windows

When you open the STABL 6 output option from the results menu, you
are actually opening a file used by STABL for Windows to output the results
of a critical surface search being executed. Every time you run a new
critical surface search, that file is overwritten.

For this reason, before running a new search, make sure that you either close
the output file or rename it. Renaming it is probably more advisable, since
you will be able to go back and review it later for comparison.

In Conclusion:

Thank you for your purchase of SFW. Please let us know of your
experiences using SFW. Your feedback will allow us to continue to improve
the program in order to better serve you. Our contact e-mail addresses are:

Sales: sales@winstabl.com
Bugs: support@winstabl.com

26


















REFERENCE MANUAL




















27
PROBLEM GEOMETRY


The first step in a slope stability analysis using STABL is to plot the problem geometry to scale on
a rectangular coordinate grid. Coordinate axes should be chosen carefully such that the problem is
completely defined within the first quadrant. This enables the graphical aspects of the program to function
properly. In doing this, potential failure surfaces which may develop beyond the toe or the crest of the
slope should be anticipated (Figure 1). Neither deep trial failure surfaces passing below the horizontal axis
nor trial failure surfaces extending beyond the defined ground surface in either direction are allowed. If
any coordinate point defining the problem geometry is detected by the program to lie outside the first
quadrant, an appropriate error code is displayed and execution of STABL is terminated.

Graphic output resulting from execution of STABL is scaled to a 5" x 8" plot of the problem
geometry. The origin of the coordinate system referencing the problem geometry is retained as the origin
of the plot, and the scale is maximized so that the extreme geometry point or points lie just within the
boundaries of the 5" x 8" plot. Therefore, it is advantageous to fit the problem geometry to the coordinate
axes with this in mind. Situations where the resulting plotted profile would be too small in scale to be
useful for interpretation should be avoided (Figure 2). Figure 1 is an excellent example of well chosen
coordinates, where there is enough room for possible failure surface development, and the profile
geometry is plotted to the largest scale possible within the allowed format. If these requirements are not
considered before the input data are prepared, revision of the entire set of data could later become a
necessity.


Pr ofi l e Boundari es


The ground surface and subsurface demarcations between regions of differing soil parameters are
approximated by straight-line segments. Any configuration can be portrayed so long as the sloping ground
surface faces the vertical axis and does not contain an overhang. Vertical boundaries should be
specified slightly inclined to the right for computational reasons (i.e., X
left
= 100.0, X
right
= 100.1).

Assigned with each surface and subsurface boundary is a soil type which represents a set of soil
parameters describing the area projected beneath. Vertical lines, passing through the end points of each
boundary, bound the area in lateral extent. The area below a boundary may or may not be bound at its
bottom by another boundary beneath which different soil parameters would be defined (Figure 3).



28
W
e
l
l

B
e
y
o
n
d

C
r
e
s
t
W
e
l
l

B
e
y
o
n
d

T
o
e
D
e
e
p
F
i
g
u
r
e

1
.

E
x
t
e
n
t

o
f

p
o
t
e
n
t
i
a
l

f
a
i
l
u
r
e

s
u
r
f
a
c
e
s
.



29
(1000,1000)
(1500,1000)
(1900,1200) (2400,1200)
a. Coordinates are too large in comparison with height and length
of slope.
Figure 2. Output scaling resulting from correct but inadequate definition of the problem geometry
with respect to the origin of the coordinate system.
(0,500)
(700,500)
(900,600) (1600,600)
b. Too much room allowed beyond the toe and crest of the slope in
comparison to the slope height and length.
(0,0)
(0,0)



30

S
o
i
l

1
S
o
i
l

3
S
o
i
l

2
S
o
i
l

3
1
2
3
1
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1
0
1
2
1
1
1
4
1
5
A
B
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
D
C
F
E
B
o
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n
d
a
r
y
A
B
C
D
E
F
S
o
i
l

T
y
p
e
3
2
A
r
e
a
5
G
H
I
J
K
1
1
5
-
L
M
-
3
F
i
g
u
r
e

3
.

R
e
l
a
t
i
o
n
s
h
i
p
s

a
m
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s
o
i
l

t
y
p
e
s

a
n
d

b
o
u
n
d
a
r
i
e
s
.


31
The program requires an order by which boundary data are prepared. The boundaries may be
assigned temporary index numbers for ordering by the following procedure. The ground surface
boundaries are numbered first, from left to right consecutively, starting with 1. All subsurface boundaries
are then numbered in any manner as long as no boundary lies below another having a higher number. That
is, at any position which a vertical line might be drawn, the temporary index numbers of all boundaries
intersecting that line must increase in numerical order from the ground surface downward. After all the
boundaries have been temporarily indexed, the data for each boundary should be prepared in that order.

The data set describing a profile boundary line segment consists of X- and Y-coordinates of the
left and right end points, and a soil type number indicating the soil type beneath. The end points of
each boundary are specified with the left point preceding the right, and with the X-coordinate of each
point preceding its Y-coordinate.


Pi ezomet r i c Sur f ac es


If the problem contains one or more piezometric surfaces that would intersect a potential failure
surface, they can be approximated by a series of coordinate points connected by straight-line segments. If
used, the piezometric surfaces must be defined continuously across the horizontal extent of the region to
be investigated for possible failure surfaces. It is wise to extend the piezometric surfaces as far in each
lateral direction as the ground surface is defined, to insure meeting this last requirement (Figure 4). Data
for the coordinate points must be ordered progressing from left to right. Each point on a piezometric
surface is defined by X- and Y-coordinates specified in that order.

The connecting line segments defining a piezometric surface may lie above the ground surface and
also may lie coincident with the ground surface or any profile boundary. This enables expression of not
only the ground water table but also surfaces of seepage and water surfaces of bodies of water such as
lakes and streams. The option of defining several piezometric surfaces makes it possible to model
conditions of artesian or perched water tables. When the first water surface is above the ground surface,
and associated with the ground surface soils, hydrostatic pressures generated by the elevated water
surface are assumed to act upon the ground surface. The simulation of artesian conditions is possible
by placing the second or higher count water tables above the ground, and not associated with the
ground surface soils.


In early versions of STABL (up to STABL5) the pore pressure was calculated using a method referred in
this manual as the "old method". When a phreatic surface is specified, the "old method" computes pore


32
pressure based on hydrostatic pressure, i.e., the head is the vertical distance from the base of the slice to the
phreatic surface immediately above (Figure 5) (Siegel 1975a, Siegel 1975b, Boutrup 1977).

This is a conservative estimate; the steeper the piezometric surface, the more conservative the results of the
old method." The resulting pressure head can be as much as 30% higher than the actual head when the
piezometric surface is dipping at 35 (Figure 6).
Surface of Seepage
Groundwater Table
Figure 4. Water surface defined across entire extent of defined problem.

PCSTABL5M
PCSTABL5
ACTUAL
PERPENDICULAR
Figure 5. Comparison of methods for calculation of pore pressure distribution.
Slice base



33
1
2
3
1


-

3
5
o

D
i
p
p
i
n
g

P
i
e
z
o
m
e
t
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.
1 2 3
A A P
,

A
P P6 6 655 5



34
To overcome this conservatism a new method was proposed referred as the "perpendicular
method". The perpendicular method approximates the equipotential line as a straight line from the
base of the slice perpendicular to the line through the piezometric surface bounding the top of that
slice (Figure 5). However, this tends to produce unconservative pore pressures; the steeper the
piezometric surface, the more unconservative the results. The pressure head can be as much as
10% lower than the actual head when the piezometric surface is dipping at 35 (Figure 6).

Since the "old method" produces results that are increasingly conservative while the
perpendicular method produces results that are increasingly unconservative as the slope of the
piezometric surface increases, if the average value of the two pressure heads is taken the degree of
conservatism is limited. Use of the average pressure head still produces a conservative result, for
the old method is more conservative than the perpendicular method is unconservative. As
illustration, the average pressure head is about 9% higher than the actual head when the
piezometric surface is dipping at 35 (Figure 6).




SOIL PARAMETERS


Each soil type is described by the following set of isotropic parameters: the moist unit
weight, the saturated unit weight, the Mohr-Coulomb strength intercept, the Mohr-Coulomb
friction angle, a pore pressure parameter, a pore pressure constant, and an integer representing the
number of the piezometric surface that applies to this soil.

The moist unit weight and the saturated unit weight are total unit weights, and both are
specified to enable STABL to handle zones divided by a water surface. In the case of a soil zone
totally above the water surface, the saturated unit weight will not be used; however, some value
must be used for input regardless. Any value including zero will do. Similarly for the case where
a soil zone is totally submerged, the moist unit weight will not be used. Again, some value must
be used for input. Either an effective stress analysis (c', ') or total stress analysis (c, = 0) may be
performed by using the appropriate values for the Mohr-Coulomb strength parameters.

Porewater pressure can be assumed to be related to the overburden stress by the pore
pressure parameter r
u
. The overburden stress does not include surcharge boundary loads. The
pore pressure constant u
c
of a soil type defines a constant pore pressure for any point within the
soil described. Either or both of these two options for specifying pore pressures may be used, in
combination with pore pressure related to a specified piezometric surface, to describe the pore
pressure regime.


35
Ani sot r opi c Soi l


Soil types exhibiting anisotropic strength properties are described by assigning Mohr-
Coulomb strength parameters to discrete ranges of direction. The strength parameters would vary
from one discrete direction range to another.

The orientation of all line segments defining any potential failure surface can be
referenced with respect to their inclination entirely within a range of direction between -90 and
+90 with respect to the horizontal. Therefore, the selection of discrete ranges of direction is
confined to these limits. The entire range of potential orientation must be assigned shear strength
values.

Each direction range of an anisotropic soil type is established by specifying the maximum
(counterclockwise) inclination a
i
of the range (Figure 7). The data consist of this inclination limit
and the Mohr-Coulomb friction angle and strength intercept for each discrete range. Data for each
discrete range must be prepared progressing in counterclockwise order, starting with a first range
from -90 to a
1
(specifying a
1
as counterclockwise direction limit). The process is repeated for
each anisotropic soil type.























36




+90
o
4
th
Direction Range
Soil Parameters (
4
,c
4
)
3
rd
Direction Range
Soil Parameters (
3
,c
3
)
2
nd
Direction Range
Soil Parameters (
2
,c
2
)
1
st
Direction Range
Soil Parameters (
1
,c
1
)
a
4
a
3
a
2
a
1
90

Figure 7. Strength assignment to four discrete direction ranges.

37
BOUNDARY LOADS


Uniformly distributed boundary loads applied to the ground surface are specified by
defining their extent, intensity, and direction of application (Figure 8). The limit equilibrium
model used for analysis treats the boundary loads as strip loads of infinite length. The major axis
of each strip load is normal to the two-dimensional X-Y plane within which the geometry of slope
stability problems is solved. Therefore, the extent of a boundary load is its width in the two-
dimensional plane.

Data for each boundary load consist of the left and right X coordinates which defines the
horizontal extent of load application, the intensity of the loading, and its inclination. The intensity
specified should be in terms of the load acting on a horizontal projection of the ground surface
rather than the true length of the ground surface. Inclination is specified positive counterclockwise
from the vertical. The boundaries must be ordered from left to right and are not allowed to overlap.

A boundary load whose intensity varies with position can be approximated by substituting
a group of statically equivalent uniformly distributed loads which abut one another. The sum of
the widths of the substitute loads should equal the width of the load being approximated. The
inclinations should be equivalent, and the intensities of substitute loads should vary, as does the
load being approximated.


38
x
3
R
I
n
t
e
n
s
i
t
y

q

1
I
n
c
l
i
n
a
t
i
o
n

1
=
0
E
x
t
e
n
t
x
1
L
x
1
R
x
2
L
q
2
+

2
x
3
L
-

3
q
3
F
i
g
u
r
e

8
.

D
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f
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n
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t
i
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s
u
r
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h
a
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g
e

b
o
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n
d
a
r
y

l
o
a
d
s
.
x
2
R



39
SOIL REINFORCEMENT



PCSTABL6 handles two different types of soil reinforcement: soil nailing and
geosynthetic reinforcement. Both nail and geosynthetic reinforcement tension forces acting at the
base of each slice are decomposed in normal and tangential forces.


Soi l nai l i ng


Soil nailing is a cost-effective technique for slope stabilization and support of
excavations. Theoretical background is summarized in Ortigo et al. (1995). Tension in the
reinforcement is the major contributor to stability; bending and shear resistances of the nails are
minor factors and PCSTABL6 does not take them into account. The soil mass is divided by a
slip surface in a stable and a potentially unstable zone. The reinforcement force T
NAIL
acting in
the stable zone is:

NAIL S NAIL
L q D T (1)

where: T
NAIL
= tensile force on each nail; q
s
= unit friction along the soil-nail interface; L
NAIL
=
nail length in the stable zone; D = borehole diameter.

PCSTABL6 performs an internal check to ensure that the value of T
NAIL
is less than the
tensile resistance of the nail. For the input data, nails should be divided into groups with the
same characteristics (i.e., nails with same length). The soil-nail skin friction value q
s
may be
obtained from pull-out tests before or during construction or estimated by other means.

PCSTABL6 requires the user to specify the nail head condition, which can be fixed or
free. The fixed condition applies when nails transfer all head loads to the facing. Alternatively,
nails are totally free when no load is transferred from the head to the facing. For free nails, there
is an additional case when a certain amount of loading, less than the nail capacity, is transferred
from the head to the facing.

The input data for the command NAILS also includes the inclination and spacing
between nails within each group. In addition, the diameter of the nail borehole, the diameter of


40
the steel section, the allowable tensile stress of the nails, and the unit friction along the soil-nail
interface should be also specified by the user.


Geosynt het i c r ei nf or c ement


The reinforcement effect can be modelled as follows:
L ' tan E 2 T
f
L
0
GEOSYN
GEOSYN


v (2)
where: T
GEOSYN
= tensile force in each reinforcement layer; L
GEOSYN
= geosynthetic length in the
stable zone;
v
= vertical effective stress at the reinforcement level; = soil peak friction angle;
L = interval in which L
GEOSYN
is divided; C
i
= coefficient of interaction defined as the relationship
between the soil friction angle and the soil-geosynthetic interface. Values of C
i
should be
determined by appropriate means (see, for example, Koerner 1994).

For the input data, geosynthetic layers should be divided into groups with the same
characteristics (i.e., geosynthetic layers with the same length). The reinforcement length should
not be extended beyond the problem domain.




TIEBACK LOADS



STABL uses tieback load computation routines that use Flamant's Formulas as proposed
by Morlier and Tenier (1982). These routines are available for use with the Bishop Simplified
Method of analysis for circular failure surfaces, the Janbu Simplified Method of analysis for
noncircular failure surfaces, and Spencer's Method of slices for both circular and non-circular
failure surfaces. The tieback option may be used with either random or specified failure surface
generation methods for irregular, block, or circular failure surfaces. Throughout this section and
within PCSTABL6, the word "tieback" is used to mean tieback or other types of concentrated
loads applied on the surface of the slope.

Tieback (or other types of concentrated loads) are specified in the input file by providing
the ground surface boundary number where the load is to be applied, the X-coordinate of the


41
point of application of the tieback load, the Y-coordinate of the point of application of the tieback
load, the load per tieback, the horizontal spacing between tiebacks, the inclination of tieback load
as measured clockwise from the horizontal plane, and the free length of tieback (Figure 9). For
concentrated boundary loads such as strut loads in a braced excavation, which do not extend into
the ground like tiebacks, the length of the tieback is zero. An equivalent line load is calculated for
each tieback load specified, assuming a uniform distribution of load horizontally between point
loads. PCSTABL6 allows for the input of concentrated loads applied to a horizontal ground
surface boundary, and also allows concentrated loads to be inclined between 0 and 180 from
the horizontal. The input parameters for a tieback load have been changed to include also the
input of the X-coordinate of the load applied to the ground surface. Previously, only the Y-
coordinate was required. Either the X-coordinate of the point of application of the tieback load
can be specified and the Y-coordinate calculated, or the Y-coordinate can be specified and the X-
coordinate calculated. If the user desires, both the X- and Y-coordinates may be input.

If only the X-coordinate is specified, a value of zero must be input for the Y-coordinate.
When the program encounters a zero Y-coordinate, it will automatically calculate the proper Y-
coordinate for the X-coordinate and boundary specified. Likewise, if only the Y-coordinate is
specified, a value of zero must be input for the X-coordinate.

When the program finds a zero X-coordinate, it will automatically calculate the proper X-
coordinate for the Y-coordinate and boundary specified.

The user may input both the X- and Y-coordinates of the point of application of the
tieback load on the ground surface boundary. However, the coordinates specified must be
sufficiently accurate so that the program will recognize an intersection of the X- and Y-
coordinates specified with the ground surface boundary specified. If the difference between the
coordinates specified by the user and the coordinates calculated by the program is greater than
0.001, then an error message will be displayed, and the program execution stopped.

A short description of the tieback routines is presented in the next section to help the User
understand the method and assumptions used in STABL for analyzing slopes subjected to
concentrated loads.


42
1
2
3
AA
P
(
X
,
Y
)
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v
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T
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B
A
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P
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P
A
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T
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:
2
XYPHIL
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p
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s
.



43
Desc r i pt i on of t he Ti ebac k Rout i nes


Unlike other slope stability programs, STABL distributes the force from a concentrated
load throughout the soil mass to the whole failure surface and hence to all slices of the sliding
mass. Most slope stability programs project a concentrated load straight to the base of a single
slice. This distribution of load throughout the soil mass is a unique feature of STABL.


First, an equivalent line load is calculated for a row of tiebacks by dividing the specified
tieback load (point load) by the corresponding horizontal spacing between tieback loads. The
resulting line load is called T
LOAD
(Figure 10) and is inclined from the horizontal by an angle i.
The radial stress on the midpoint of a slice is calculated using Flamant's Formula (Morlier and
Tenier, 1982):

d
) )cos(T (T 2
LOAD

r
(3)

where:
r
= radial stress on the midpoint of a slice; T
LOAD
= equivalent tieback line load; T

=
angle between the line of action of the tieback and the line between the point of application of the
tieback on the ground surface and the midpoint of the slice base; d = distance between the point
of application of the tieback on the ground surface and the midpoint of the slice base.

The radial force, P
RAD
, at the midpoint of the base of the slice due to the concentrated
load is calculated by multiplying the radial stress by the length of the base of the slice:

cos d
(DX) ) (T cos ) 2(T
P
LOAD
RAD
(4)

where: = inclination of slice base; DX = slice width.

Note that the radial stress produced on the base of the slice by the concentrated load
(Figure 10) is proportional to the load applied (T
LOAD
) and the width of the slice (DX), inversely
proportional to the distance between the point of application of the load and the midpoint of the
base of the slice (d), and dependent upon the angle between the line of action of the load and the
line between the point of application of the load and the midpoint of the base of the slice (T

).
Therefore, slices which are in line with the direction of the concentrated load will receive a larger
portion of the total load than will slices which are farther away and whose angle T

is large.


44
F
A
I
L
U
R
E
S
U
R
F
A
C
E

D
X
i

i
T
L
O
A
D

1
d
P
N
O
R
M
P
R
A
D
P
T
A
N
F
i
g
u
r
e

1
0
.

T
r
a
n
s
f
e
r

o
f

t
i
e
b
a
c
k

l
i
n
e

l
o
a
d

t
o

f
a
i
l
u
r
e

s
u
r
f
a
c
e
.




45
The radial force P
RAD
is distributed in the same manner to all the slices of the sliding
mass. The radial forces on all the slices are then summed in the direction of the concentrated
load, P
SUM
, and compared with the applied load, T
LOAD
. Since the sum of radial forces for a
failure surface, P
SUM
, is not always exactly equal to the applied load due to slope geometry and
the shape of the failure surface, the radial force applied to the base of each slice is modified as
follows:


SUM
LOAD
RAD
P
T
P (5)

The refined radial force for each slice, P
RAD
, is broken into its components normal and
tangential to the base of the slice for calculation of the factor of safety. The normal and
tangential components of the force due to the concentrated load are respectively:

1 RAD NORM
cos ) (P P (6)

1 RAD TAN
sin ) (P P (7)

The same process is repeated for all additional rows of tiebacks. The sum of the normal
components and the sum of the tangential components due to all rows of tiebacks are then used in
the slice equilibrium equations for calculating the factor of safety.

There is a special case where the tieback loads will not be distributed to quite all the
slices of the sliding mass and is shown in Figure 11. Figure 11 shows the limit of the stress
distribution for a benched slope. The force due to the applied load is not distributed to the slices
of the far left or the slices of the far right since this would require distribution of load through air
and not the soil mass.




46
C
O
N
C
E
N
T
R
A
T
E
D

L
O
A
D
F
A
I
L
U
R
E

S
U
R
F
A
C
E
L
I
M
I
T

O
F

S
T
R
E
S
S

D
I
S
T
R
I
B
U
T
I
O
N
D
U
E

T
O

C
O
N
C
E
N
T
R
A
T
E
D
T
I
E
B
A
C
K

L
O
A
D
F
i
g
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e

1
1
.

L
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m
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t

o
f

s
t
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d
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p
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a
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t
r
a
t
e
d

t
i
e
b
a
c
k

l
o
a
d
.



47
TI ES I nput Rest r i c t i ons


The point of application of a tieback on the ground surface may not be at a ground surface
boundary node. Use a slight offset from the node (i.e., 70.01 instead of 70).
No more than 20 tieback loads can be specified; however, they can be in any order.
The inclination of a tieback must be equal to or greater than 0 and less than 180 as
measured clockwise from the horizontal.
The horizontal spacing between tiebacks must be greater than or equal to 1 ft (or 1 m if using
SI units).
The length of a tieback must be equal to or greater than 0. Zero is used for loads other than
tieback loads, such as loads on bracing elements.



EARTHQUAKE LOADING



The use of earthquake coefficients allows for a pseudo-static representation of earthquake
effects within the limiting equilibrium model. An inertial force acting on the sliding mass is
assumed to develop in direct proportion to the weight of the sliding mass. Specified horizontal
and vertical coefficients are used to scale the horizontal and vertical components of the
earthquake force relative to the weight of the sliding mass. Positive horizontal and vertical
earthquake coefficients indicate that the horizontal and vertical components of the earthquake
force are directed leftward and upward, respectively. Negative coefficients are allowed.

The inertial forces due to the seismic coefficients are at the center of gravity of each slice.
These forces do not change the pre-earthquake static pore pressures in the slope. If significant
excess pore pressures changes or loss of shear strength is expected, or in the case of a "high risk"
slope, a complete dynamic analysis should be performed.

Examples of slope stability analysis encountering pseudo-static earthquake loads are
described in Section 4.5.4 of Boutrup (1977).







48
SEARCHING ROUTINES


STABL can generate any specified number of trial failure surfaces in random fashion.
The only limitation is computation time. Usually 100 surfaces are adequate. Each surface must
meet specified requirements. As each acceptable surface is generated, the corresponding factor of
safety is calculated. The ten most critical are accumulated and sorted by the values of their
factors of safety. After all the specified number of surfaces are successfully generated and
analyzed, the ten most critical surfaces are plotted so that the pattern may be studied.


Ci r c ul ar and I r r egul ar Sur f ac es


The searching routines, which generate circular and irregular shaped trial failure surfaces,
are basically similar in use and are, therefore, discussed together.

Trial failure surfaces are generated from the left to the right. Each surface is composed of
a series of straight-line segments of equal length, except for the last segment, which will most
likely be shorter. The length used for the line segments is specified by the user and should be
sufficiently small for the accuracy desired.

Generation of an individual trial failure surface begins at an initiation point on the ground
surface. The direction of the first line segment of the trial failure surface is chosen randomly
between two direction limits. An angle of 5 less than the inclination of the ground surface to the
right of the initiation point is one limit, while an angle of -45 to the horizontal is another limit
(Figure 12). The first line segment can fall anywhere between these two limits, but the random
technique of choosing its position is biased so that it will lie closer to the -45 limit more often
than the other.

By specifying zero values for both of the direction limits, the direction limits as
described above are implicitly selected. However, the counterclockwise and clockwise
direction limits may also be specif ied. After a preliminary search for the critical surface, it is
usually found that all or most of the ten most critical surfaces have about the same angle of
inclination for the initial line segments. By restricting the initial line segment within direction
limits having a directional range smaller than that which would be used automatically by
PCSTABL6 , and at inclinations which would bracket the initial line segments of surfaces
previously determined to be critical, subsequent searches can be conducted more efficiently.


49
C
o
u
n
t
e
r
c
l
o
c
k
w
i
s
e
D
i
r
e
c
t
i
o
n

L
i
m
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t
H
o
r
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t
a
l
C
l
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k
w
i
s
e
D
i
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t
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o
n

L
i
m
i
t
1
s
t

L
i
n
e

S
e
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m
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n
t
I
n
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t
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a
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P
o
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5
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4
5
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F
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1
2
.

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t

l
i
n
e

s
e
g
m
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n
t

t
o

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f
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n
e

a

t
r
i
a
l

f
a
i
l
u
r
e

s
u
r
f
a
c
e
.




50
After establishment of the first line segment, a circular shaped trial failure surface is generated by
changing the direction of each succeeding line segment by some constant angle (Figure 13) until
an intersection of the trial failure surface with the ground surface occurs. In effect, the chords of a
circle are generated rather than the circle itself. The constant angle of deflection is obtained
randomly.

An irregular shaped surface is generated somewhat differently after establishment of the
first line segment. The direction of each succeeding line segment is chosen randomly within limits
determined by the direction of the preceding line segment. Surfaces with reverse curvature are
likely, and if a very short length is used for the line segments, a significant amount of kinkiness in
the surfaces will be inevitable. Some reverse curvature is desirable but extreme kinkiness is not.
To avoid the second case the length of the line segment selected should in general not be shorter
than 1/4 to 1/3 the height of the slope.

When using either of these generation techniques to search for a critical failure surface, the
following scheme is employed. STABL directs computation of a specified number of initiation
points along the ground surface. The initiation points are equally spaced horizontally between two
specified points, which are the leftmost and rightmost initiation points. Only the X-coordinates of
these two points, specified in left-right order, are required. From each initiation point, a specified
number of trial failure surfaces are generated. If the left point coincides with the right, a single
initiation point results, from which all surfaces are generated. The total number of surfaces
generated will equal the product of the number of initiation points and the number of surfaces
generated from each.

Termination limits are specified to minimize the chance of proceeding with a calculation of the
factor of safety for an unlikely failure surface. If a generated trial failure surface terminates at the
ground surface short of the left initiation limit (Figure 14), the surface is rejected prior to
calculation of a factor of safety and a replacement is generated. If a generating surface goes
beyond the right termination limit, it will be rejected requiring a replacement. The termination
limits are also specified in left-right order.

A depth limitation is imposed by specifying an elevation below which no surface is
allowed to extend. This is used, for example, to eliminate calculation of the factor of safety for
generated surfaces that would extend into a strong horizontal bedrock layer. When a shallow
failure surface is expected, the use of the depth limitation prevents generation and analysis of deep
trial failure surfaces.

An additional type of search limitation may be imposed to handle situations such as
variable elevation of bedrock or delimitating a weak zone and confining the search for a critical
surface to that area. This type of limitation will be discussed later.


51
D
e
f
l
e
c
t
i
o
n
-
C
o
n
s
t
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t

f
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o
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g
L
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S
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m
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t
F
i
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e

1
3
.

C
i
r
c
u
l
a
r

s
u
r
f
a
c
e

g
e
n
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
.



52
S
u
c
c
e
s
s
f
u
l

G
e
n
e
r
a
t
i
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n
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1
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f
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a
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p
t
a
n
c
e

c
r
i
t
e
r
i
a
.



53
Sl i di ng Bl oc k Sur f ac es


A sliding block trial failure surface generator provides a means through which a
concentrated search for the critical failure surface may be performed within a well-defined weak
zone of a soil profile.

In a simple problem involving a sliding block shaped failure face (Figure 15), the following
procedure is used. Two boxes are established within the weak layer with the intent that from within
each, a point will be chosen randomly. The two points once chosen define a line segment that is
then used as the base of the central block of the sliding mass. Any point within each box has equal
likelihood of being chosen. Therefore, a random orientation, position and width of the central block
is obtained. The boxes are required to be parallelograms with vertical sides. The top and bottom of
a box may have any common inclination. Each box is specified by the length of its vertical sides
and two coordinate points that define the intersections of its centerline with its vertical sides (Figure
16).

After the base of the central block is created, the active and passive portions of the trial
failure surface are generated using line segments of equal specified length by techniques similar to
those used by the circle and irregular trial failure surface generators.

Starting at the left end of the central block base, a line segment of specified length is
randomly directed between the limits of 0 and 45 with respect to the horizontal (Figure 17). The
chosen direction is biased towards selection of an angle closer to 45. This process is repeated as
necessary until intersection of a line segment with the ground surface occurs, completing the
passive portion of the trial surface.

For the active portion of the trial failure surface, a similar process is used with the limits for
selection of the random direction being 0 and 45 with respect to the vertical (Figure 17). The
chosen direction is biased towards selection of an angle nearer 45.

A modified version of the sliding block surface generator, named BLOCK2, generates
active and passive portions of the sliding block surface according to the Rankines theory. To
avoid the problem of the active or passive wedges terminating out of the defined slope boundaries,
sketches should be drawn.

STABL allows the use of more than two boxes for the formation of the central block
(Figure 18). The search may be limited to an irregularly shaped weak zone in this way. Another


54
P
a
s
s
i
v
e
W
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d
g
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C
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n
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a
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1
5
.


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s
l
i
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i
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g

b
l
o
c
k

p
r
o
b
l
e
m
.



55
L
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P
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b
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s
p
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.



56
P
a
s
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S
u
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a
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H
o
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i
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57
Extent of
Search
a. Intensive search of critical zone previously defined by CIRCLE or RANDOM.
Weak
Layer
b. Search in irregular weak layer.
Figure 18. Sliding block generator using more than two boxes.



58
application might be to conduct a search within a zone previously defined as being critical by use of
the analysis command RANDOM.

Degenerate cases of parallelogram boxes are permitted. For example, if both points
specified as the intersections of a parallelogram centerline with its vertical sides are identical, and
the length of the parallelograms vertical sides is non-zero, then a vertical line segment, in effect, is
defined. When a trial failure surface is generated, each point along the vertical line segment's
length has an equal likelihood of becoming a point defining the surface. The vertical line segment
could further degenerate into a point if a zero value is specified for the length of the parallelogram
vertical sides. Then all surfaces generated would pass through the single point. One more case of
a degenerate parallelogram is a line segment whose inclination and position is that of the
parallelogram's centerline. For this case, the length of the vertical sides is zero but the intersections
of the parallelogram centerline with its vertical sides are not identical. Again, any point along the
length of the line segment has equal likelihood of becoming a point defining a generated trial
failure surface.


Sur f ac e Gener at i on Boundar i es


As an additional criterion for acceptance of generated trial failure surfaces, an ability to
establish boundaries through which a surface may NOT pass has been provided. Such boundaries
may be used with all surface- generating routines except BLOCK2. Each generation boundary
specified is defined by two coordinate points. If a generating surface intersects the line segment
defined by the pair of coordinate points, it will either be rejected and a replacement surface will be
generated, or the surface will be deflected so that it may be successfully completed. The amount of
deflection permitted for a trial failure surface is limited, and when it is insufficient to clear the
surface generation boundary intersected, the surface is rejected.

When specifying surface generation boundaries the coordinate points of the left end point
should precede those of the right end point. For the case of vertical boundaries, the order is not
important. Along with the total number of boundaries, the number of vertical boundaries that
deflects generating surfaces upward is specified. The data for these boundaries are required to
precede the data for boundaries that deflect downward.

As mentioned previously, a variable elevation bedrock surface can be bounded so that no
generated surfaces will pass through the rock. For this case, all the surface generation boundaries
defining the bedrock surface would be specified to deflect intersecting trial failure surfaces upward.
Another use might occur after a critical zone has been roughly defined by a searching technique.
This zone could be bound so that the subsequent search will be completely confined to it. Surface


59
generation boundaries above the zone would be specified to deflect downward, and those below the
zone would be specified to deflect upward.

An important consideration that should be given whenever any type of limitation is
imposed for conducting a search for a critical surface is how many generating surfaces are likely to
be rejected. A rejected surface is lost effort regardless of how efficiently it was generated by
STABL. Perhaps for example, a multiple box search using the command BLOCK would be more
efficient than using the command RANDOM with strict limitations.


I ndi vi dual Fai l ur e Sur f ac e


If the failure of the slope is being studied and the location of the actual failure surface is
known, STABL offers the option of specifying the known surface as an individual surface for
analysis. Another situation for which this option would be useful is when the geologic pattern and
shear strength data indicate one or more well-defined weak paths along which failure would be
expected to occur.

An individual failure surface is approximated by straight-line segments defined by a series
of points. The end points of the specified trial failure surface are checked for proper location within
the horizontal extent of the defined ground surface. The Y-coordinates for these two points need
not be correctly specified. STABL directs the calculation of the Y-coordinate, for each of these
two points, from the intersection of a vertical line defined by the specified X-coordinate and the
ground surface. Data for the coordinate points must be ordered from left to right.


60
BISHOP SIMPLIFIED METHOD



The Bishop Simplified Method was initially developed for circular failure surfaces, but
it can be applied for non-circular slip surfaces by adopting a fictional center of rotation. This
method neglects the vertical components of the interslice forces and satisfies moment
equilibrium only. Figure 19 shows the forces acting on a slice including tieback and
reinforcement loads. The total normal force N is assumed to act at the center of the base of
each slice, and it is determine by imposing equilibrium of vertical forces on each slice (Figure
19), as follows:

0 )sin S ) T ( cos ) U N'- - T ( ) k - (1 W cos Q cos U
r TAN NORM v
+ + + +

(8)

in which: N and S
r
= effective normal force and mobilized resisting shear force, respectively,
on the base of each slice; U

and U

= water force acting on base and top of the slice; W =

weight of the slice soil mass; k
v
= vertical earthquake coefficient; Q = resultant of uniform
surcharge acting on the slice top; T
NORM
and T
TAN
= normal and tangential forces acting on the
midpoint of the base of the slice produced by all rows of tiebacks or/and by soil reinforcement,
whatever applies; = inclination of shear surface with respect to the horizontal; = slope
inclination angle; = inclination of the uniform surcharge acting on the slice top, measured positive
counterclockwise from the vertical.

Based on Coulombs failure criterion, S
r
can be written as:

FS
' tan N' C'
S
r
+
(9)

cos
DX c'
C' (10)


in which C = cohesion force at the slice base; FS = factor of safety; c and = effective soil
strength parameters; DX = slice width.


61
h
h
eq
DX

k
v
W
W
k
h
W
T
NORM
N'
U

S
r
T
TAN

Q
U
Figure 19. Slice forces considered by in the Bishop and Janbu methods.

62
Substituting (9) and (10) into (8), and solving for N:

FS
sin ' tan
cos
FS
sin C'
- sin T - cos ) U - T ( ) k - W(1 cos Q cos U
N'
TAN NORM v

+
+ + +
(11)

Overall moment equilibrium of forces acting on the sliding circular surface is given by
the expression:

( ) ( ) ( ) [ ] R T S } sin R ] cos Q cos U k - 1 W {{[
TAN r
n
1
v
+ + +

i

( )( ) [ ] ( ) [ ] 0 } h - cos R k W h - cos R sin Q sin U
q e h
+ +

(12)

where: R = distance from center of rotation about which moments are summed to the center of
each slice; k
h
= horizontal earthquake coefficient; h = height of the slice at midpoint; h
eq
=
vertical distance from point of application of k
h
to the slice base; n = number of slices.

The Bishop Simplified Method assumes that FS is the same for each slice. Substituting
(9) and (11) into (12), and solving for FS, it is obtained the expression for FS:


( )

+
+

n
1 i
6 5 4 3
n
1 2
1
A - A A - A
FS
A
1
A
FS
i
(13)

in which:


( ) ( ) [ ] sin T cos Q cos U cos U - T k - 1 W sec ' tan C' A
TAN

NORM v 1


+ + + + (14)

' tan tan A2 (15)




63
( ) [ ]

sin cos Q cos U k - 1 W A

v 3
+ + (16)

( )

,
_

+
R
h
cos sin Q U A
4

(17)


eq
h 5
R
h
- cos k W A

,
_

(18)

TAN 6
T A (19)



JANBU SIMPLIFIED METHOD



The Janbu Simplified Method assumes that the failure occurs by sliding of a block of soil
on a non-circular slip surface. Also, in this method the interslice shear forces are assumed to be
zero. Thus, the expression for the effective normal force N on the base of each slice is the same
as that obtained for the Bishop Simplified Method (Eq. 11).

Overall equilibrium of forces acting parallel to the sliding circular surface (Figure 19)
is given by the expression:

[ ]

+ +
n
1
sin ) k - (1 W - sin ) cos U cos Q ( - T S {
v TAN r
i



0 } ] cos ) sin U sin Q ( [ cos k W
h
+ +

(20)

The Janbu Simplified Method assumes that FS is the same for each slice. Substituting
(9) into (11), and solving (20) for FS, it is obtained the expression for the factor of safety:

n
1
3
n
1
2
1
B
FS
B
1
B
FS
i
i
(21)


64
in which:

( ) ( ) [ ]

cos
cos Q cos U cos U - T sin T k - 1 W sec ' tan C'
B

NORM TAN v
1

+ + + +

(22)

' tan tan B
2
(23)

( ) ( ) ( )
cos
T
sin tan cos Q sin - tan cos U tan k k tan W B
TAN

v h 3
1
]
1

+ + +

(24)

Since the Bishop Simplified and the Janbu Simplified Methods assume that the factor of
safety on each slice is the same, results from (13) and (21) are average FS for all the slices. This
assumption implies that each slice must fail simultaneously.

Boutrup (1977) found that STABL with the Janbu Simplified Method may give non
conservative and erroneous results for failure surfaces that intersect the top of the slope at
steep angles, and where the strength of the soil is defined mainly in terms of strength intercept
c'. Since this problem arose mainly for deep circular failure surfaces, it was solved by
including in the STABL program the Bishop Simplified solution, applicable to circular
failure surfaces. It is recommended that the Simplified Bishop Method be used for circular
failure surfaces in general (use CIRCL2 instead of CIRCLE). Precautions should be taken if a
similar situation occurs for irregular shaped failure surfaces. In any case, it is advisable to
make a preliminary estimate of the factor of safety by means of simple slope stability charts
for homogeneous slopes (averaging soil parameters, etc.).















65
SPENCER'S METHOD



Spencers Method of slices has been incorporated into STABL to enhance the versatility
of the program. Spencers Method is a limiting equilibrium method which satisfies both force and
moment equilibrium of a sliding mass of soil, whereas the Janbu Simplified and the Bishop
Simplified Methods satisfy only force or moment equilibrium, respectively.


Desc r i pt i on of Spenc er s Met hod

Spencers Method was first developed for circular slip surfaces assuming parallel
interslice side forces inclined at a constant angle, , on each slice (Figure 20). This method was
later extended to general or irregular failure surfaces. The factor of safety, FS, on each slice is
assumed to be the same such that all slices of the sliding mass will fail simultaneously. The
interslice forces acting at both sides of each slide can be replaced with a single statically
equivalent resultant interslice force, QF, acting through the midpoint of the base of the slice and
inclined at an angle, . The method also assumes a constant inclination of the resultant force, QF,
throughout the slope.

The equilibrium equations for the forces normal and tangent to the base of each slice are
(Figure 20), respectively (Carpenter 1985):

0 T - ) - ( cos Q ) ( cos U -
] )cos k - (1 - sin W[k ) - ( sin QF U N'
NORM
v
h

+ + +

(25)

0 T ) - ( sin Q ) - ( sin U
] cos k sin ) k - W[(1 - ) - ( cos QF - S
TAN
h v r
+ + +

(26)



66
h
eq
DX

k
v
W
W
k
h
W
N'
U

S
r

Q
U
Figure 20. Slice forces considered by Spencer's method.

QF
T
TAN
T
NORM



67
From (25) the effective normal force N acting on the base of each slice is found to be equal to:

NORM
h
v
T ) - sin( QF - ) - Qcos(
) ( cos U U - )] sin k - )cos k - W[(1 N'
+ +
+



(27)

Combining (9) and (27) into (26), and solving for QF, it is obtained the following
expression:

,
_

+
+

FS
S
1 ) - cos(
S
FS
S
QF
3
2
1

(28)

where:

( ) [ ] { } ) T ) - ( cos Q ) ( cos U U sin k cos k - 1 W ' tan C' S
NORM h v 1
+ + + +

(29)

[ ] ) T ) - sin( Q cos k )sin k - (1 W ) ( sin U S
TAN h v 2
+ + +

(30)

) - tan( ' tan S
3


(31)

Overall moment and force equilibrium are satisfied by the conditions:

0 )] ( cos R [ QF
n
1

i
(32)

n
1
0 QF
i
(33)

Two FS values are obtained when (32) and (33) are solved for each assumed value of .
The solution is reached by iteration when a unique value of FS, and its corresponding , that
satisfies both force and moment equilibrium is found. More detailed information concerning the
derivation, and method of solution of Spencer's method of slices implemented in STABL5M,
PCSTABL5M, PCSTABL5M2, and PCSTABL6 may be found in Carpenter (1985, 1986).



68
SPENCR Opt i on


The Spencer option may be invoked by specifying the command SPENCR. The command
SPENCR precedes specification of the surface type and method of solution; i.e., SURFAC,
SURBIS, CIRCLE, CIRCL2, RANDOM, BLOCK, or BLOCK2.

Since significantly more computation time is required for analysis of potential failure
surfaces using Spencer's method of slices than either the Bishop Simplified or the Janbu Simplified
Methods, the most efficient use of the PCSTABL6 capabilities will be realized if the user first
investigates a number of potential failure surfaces using one of STABL's random surface
generation techniques, which determine the factor of safety using either the Janbu Simplified or the
Bishop Simplified Methods of slices. Once critical potential failure surfaces have been identified,
they may be analyzed using the SPENCR option in conjunction with either the SURFAC or
SURBIS option, to obtain a factor of safety (FS) satisfying both force and moment, i.e., complete
equilibrium. The reasonableness of the solution obtained may be evaluated through examination of
the line of thrust calculated by the Spencer routines.

When a user-input potential failure surface is analyzed, the program outputs the value of
the factor of safety with respect to force equilibrium (F
f
), the value of the factor of safety with
respect to moment equilibrium (F
m
), and the angle of the interslice forces calculated during
iteration, along with the value of FS and satisfying complete equilibrium. When a user-input
potential failure surface is analyzed, the coordinates of the line of thrust, the ratio of the height of
the line of thrust above the sliding surface to the slice height for each slice, and the values of the
interslice forces are all output.

The Spencer option may also be used with the STABL options that generate surfaces
randomly. However, when the Spencer option is used in conjunction with randomly generated
surfaces, only the FS and angle of the interslice forces satisfying complete equilibrium are output
for the ten most critical surfaces. Information regarding the line of thrust, interslice forces or values
of F
f
, F
m
and calculated during iteration is not output for randomly generated surfaces; hence the
reasonableness of a solution obtained for a randomly generated surface will not be readily apparent.
When the reasonableness of the solution of a randomly generated surface is desired, the surface
should be analyzed using the SPENCR option in conjunction with either the SURBIS or SURFAC
options.





69
SPENCR I nput Rest r i c t i ons

The only input restrictions require that specification of the "SPENCR" option occur prior to
specification of the method of surface generation and solution, i.e., SURFAC, CIRCL2, etc., and the
slope angle be greater than 0 and less than or equal to 90.






























70
ASSUMPTIONS


STABL assumes that the instability to be prevented would be two-dimensional. In
reality, all sliding failures must be 3-D, with the end/edge resistance furnishing additional safety
against instability. For more quantitative information on the comparison of FS
3D
to FS
2D
, see
Chen (1981) and Lovell (1982). In general, FS
3D
> FS
2D
, but the difference may be small, and in
certain special cases FS
2D
> FS
3D
. Where the stability problem is perceived to be definitely 3-D,
the engineer is encouraged to use BLOCK3 or LEMIX codes of Chen (1981).

STABL uses Simplified methods of slices for determination of FS. The alternative
requires solutions with extensive iteration and the consequent problems of nonconvergence in
these iterations. Boutrup (1977) has shown that the Simplified methods after Janbu and Bishop
give reasonably precise values of FS.

The selection of a center of moments for the slice analysis is an intriguing point. In the
simplified approaches, the free body is not iterated into equilibrium, and accordingly, the FS
value is peculiar to the center selected. This is true even for the circle, where the circle center is
arbitrarily selected in the Bishop Simplified Method. For other shapes, there is usually no
"center" to select for moments. After much study of this question (Carter, 1971; Siegel, 1975a;
Boutrup, 1977), the circle center is used for CIRCL2, and a very long moment arm is used for
BLOCK, BLOCK2, and RANDOM. The latter choice means that these noncircular surfaces are
analyzed with the same slice assumptions as the Janbu Simplified Method.

STABL values may be checked for a specific failure surface in several ways. CIRCL2
should yield about the same FS (for the same circle) as any other computerized analysis for
circles. To determine that this is indeed the case, the new user of STABL can run CIRCL2 in
parallel with his present method. BLOCK or BLOCK2 can be checked approximately (for a
specific block) either manually or perhaps by existing charts. RANDOM is amenable to
approximate manual checks.








71
COMMENTS ABOUT THE CHOICE OF PARAMETERS FOR
USE IN STABL


The most common problems faced by users take place at the time they define the
search parameters. Many times, conflicting combinations of such parameters are a mere result
of user attempts to perform in one single step a search that should be broken in several steps.
In other words, users often try to create search boundaries so general that the program is faced
with inconsistent conditions. Some guidelines on how to avoid inconsistencies are listed in the
following paragraphs.


1) When a circular surface searching procedure is specified, most of the problems during
runtime are caused by inappropriate combinations of the one or more of the following
parameters:

length of segments defining surface clockwise and counterclockwise initiation angle
limits
"X" leftmost and rightmost initiation and/or termination points.

The following checks should be followed to assure proper parameter selection:

When defining the initiation and termination intervals, do not overlap the rightmost
initiation point and the leftmost termination point.

When defining the length of the segments forming the surface, make sure that the
length is such that if the first segment's angle was the counterclockwise angle limit, it
would not end above the ground. This can happen when surfaces are being initiated
close to the top of a slope.

When defining the initiation angle limits, remember that the counterclockwise angle
should not let the first segment of a surface being generated go above the ground. This
means that it should be smaller or equal to the minimum ground slope inside the
initiation region.

2) Another problem frequently happens when using the block search option. It occurs when
the user places the extreme boxes in positions where active or passive wedges starting from
these boxes would fall outside the bounds of the geometry. To avoid this problem the user
should estimate the passive and active lines passing through the leftmost point of the initiation


72
region and the rightmost point of the termination region respectively, and make sure that the
boxes are inside the zone defined by these two lines.

Some users have attempted to perform general sensitivity studies about how the number and
size of boxes or the number of surfaces generated affect the search and/or the minimum factor
of safety. Unfortunately, there are no such general correlations.

Each slope being evaluated has an initially unknown failure surface which has the minimum
factor of safety possible. The program evaluates surfaces generated randomly within a user
specified region of that slope. The generation of random surfaces can be seen as a Monte
Carlo simulation process and the number of generated surfaces necessary to find the minimum
factor of safety depends on how close to the originally unknown critical surface the search
region was specified.

In the same way, the optimum number of boxes is case specific. For instance, if a user tried to
find the most critical surface in a homogeneous slope, where the critical surface is close to
circular, a large number of boxes would be necessary, since the curvature of the surface would
have to be accommodated. On the other hand, in a slope where the failure surface is bound to
pass within a very thin and linearly inclined layer, a large number of boxes will bring no
consistent improvement to the analyses whatsoever.

The influence of the size of the boxes on the number of surfaces necessary to reach the
minimum factor of safety is also dependent on how close their positions are with respect to the
unknown most critical surface. The larger the boxes, the larger the number of surfaces
necessary to cover thoroughly the region defined. Consequently large boxes should be used
only when the user is trying to locate the most critical region of the slope. After the region has
been located, the size of the boxes should be reduced to concentrate the surfaces being
generated in the important zone and avoid waste of computational effort.

In other words, small boxes placed far from the actual critical surface would never let the
program find the minimum factor of safety, no matter how many trial surfaces were generated.
On the other hand, if boxes as small as points where placed by coincidence right on the top of
the critical surface, we would have an optimum search (when only one surface would need to
be generated), and increasing their sizes would bring no benefit to the search.

3) Another aspect relevant to the analysis is the number of slices used during the factor of
safety calculations. Figure A10 displays the typical expected variance of the factor of safety as
a function of the used number of slices. These results were obtained as an average from many
cases with different slopes and soils. There seemed to be no particular trend that would justify
separating the influence for different soil-profile combinations. Consequently, in general, the


73
factor of safety obtained with a smaller number of slices will be more conservative. Since a
larger number of slices results in longer calculation times, the user is advised to perform
search with a segment length that results in about 15 to 20 slices. This would keep the factors
of safety only about 2% conservative and the search would not suffer speed decay. The most
critical surface can latter be individually analyzed with a smaller segment length so that the
accuracy can be increased.



74
DATA PREPARATION

I nput f or Eac h Command

The data for each command and their organization are outlined below. A new line of data should
be started, wherever a data line or command is encountered.

I nput f or Pr of i l e Geomet r y:

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line PROFIL Command Code
First data line Title and description of the problem
Integer Total number of boundaries Second data line
Integer Number of surface boundaries
Real X-coordinate of left end of boundary ft or m
Real Y-coordinate of left end of boundary ft or m
Real X-coordinate of right end of boundary ft or m
Real Y-coordinate of right end of boundary ft or m
Third data line
Integer Soil type index number for material
immediately beneath boundary


NOTE: Repeat proceeding of third data line for each boundary.

I nput f or Soi l Types:

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line SOIL Command Code
First data line Integer Number of soil types
Real Moist unit weight pcf or kN/m
3

Real Saturated unit weight pcf or kN/m
3

Real Isotropic strength intercept psf or kPa
Real Isotropic friction angle deg
Real Pore pressure parameter
Real Pore pressure constant psf or kPa
Second data line
Integer
(1)
Piezometric surface number

75
(1) If no piezometric surface is specified, any number excepting zero can be used.

NOTE: Repeat proceeding of second data line for each soil type.
I nput f or Modi f yi ng Soi l Types (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line SOIL Command Code
Integer Number zero (0) First data line
Integer Number of soil types to be modified
Real Moist unit weight pcf or kN/m
3

Real Saturated unit weight pcf or kN/m
3

Real Isotropic strength intercept psf or kPa
Real Isotropic friction angle deg
Real Pore pressure parameter
Real Pore pressure constant psf or kPa
Second data line
Integer
(1)
Piezometric surface number
(1) If no piezometric surface is specified, any number excepting zero can be used.

NOTE: Repeat proceeding of second data line for each soil type to be modified.




I nput f or St r engt h Ani sot r opy (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line ANISO Command Code
First data line Integer Number of anisotropic soil types
Integer Soil type index number Second data line
Integer Number of directional strength
parameter data sets

Real Counterclockwise direction limit deg
Real Strength intercept psf or kPa
Third data line
Real Friction angle deg

NOTE: Repeat proceeding of third data line for each range of direction.

76
NOTE: Repeat proceeding of second and third data lines for each anisotropic soil type.



I nput f or Suppr essi ng or Reac t i vat i ng St r engt h Ani sot r opy (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line ANISO Command Code
First data line Integer Number zero (0)




I nput f or Wat er Sur f ac e (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line WATER Command Code
Integer Number of piezometric surfaces defined First data line
Real Unit weight of water
(1)
pcf or
kN/m
3

Second data line Integer Number of points defining the water surface
Real X-coordinate of point on water surface ft or m Third data line
Real Y-coordinate of point on water surface ft or m
(1) If zero (0) is specified, 62.4 (pcf) or 9.81 (kN/m
3
) is assumed.

NOTE: Repeat proceeding of third data line for each point on the water surface.
NOTE: Repeat the second and third data lines for each piezometric surface




I nput f or Suppr essi ng or Reac t i vat i ng Wat er Sur f ac e (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line WATER Command Code
First data line Integer Number zero (0)



77




I nput f or Boundar y Loads (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line LOADS Command Code
First data line Integer Number of boundary loads
Real X-coordinate of left end of boundary load ft or m
Real X-coordinate of right end of boundary
load
ft or m
Real Intensity of boundary load psf or kPa
Second data line
Real Angle of inclination of boundary load
(positive counterclockwise from vertical)
deg

NOTE: Repeat proceeding of second data line for each boundary load.



I nput f or Suppr essi ng or Reac t i vat i ng Boundar y Loads (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line LOADS Command Code
First data line Integer Number zero (0)



I nput f or Ear t hquak e Load (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line EQUAKE Command Code
Real Earthquake coefficient for horizontal
acceleration (defined positive outwards
from face of slope)
(1)


Real Earthquake coefficient for vertical
acceleration (defined positive upwards)
(1)


First data line
Real Cavitation pressure psf or kPa
(1) Negative values may be specified.

78


I nput f or Spec i f i c Fai l ur e Sur f ac e (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line SURFAC Command Code (or SURBIS
(1)
)
First data line Integer Number of points defining the failure surface
Real X-coordinate of point on failure surface Second data line
Real Y-coordinate of point on failure surface
(1) SURBIS for circular surfaces, Modified Bishops Factor of Safety.

NOTE: Repeat proceeding of second data line for each point on the failure surface.



I nput f or Anal ysi s of Spec i f i ed Tr i al Sur f ac e (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line EXECUT Command Code



I nput f or Tr i al Sur f ac e Gener at i on Li mi t s (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line LIMITS Command Code
Integer Total number of generation boundaries First data line
Integer Number of generation boundaries that
deflect upward

Real X-coordinate of left end of generation
boundary
ft or m
Real Y-coordinate of left end of generation
boundary
ft or m
Real X-coordinate of right end of generation
boundary
ft or m
Second data line
Real Y-coordinate of right end of generation
boundary
ft or m


79
NOTE: Repeat proceeding of second data line for each generation boundary.

I nput f or Suppressi ng or Reac t i vat i ng Tr i al Sur f ac e Gener at i on Li mi t s
(i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line LIMITS Command Code
First data line Integer Number zero (0)




I nput f or Ci r c ul ar Sur f ac e (i f Spec i f i ed):


THE J ANBU SI MPLI FI ED METHOD:
LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line CIRCLE Command Code
First data line Integer 0 = Do not use Janbus correction factor;
1, 2, or 3 = Use Janbus correction factor
(1 if = 0; 2 if c > 0 and > 0; 3 if c = 0)

Integer Number of initiation points Second data line
Integer Number of surfaces to be generated from
each initiation point

Real X-coordinate of leftmost initiation point ft or m
Real X-coordinate of rightmost initiation point ft or m
Real X-coordinate of left termination limit ft or m
Third data line
Real X-coordinate of right termination limit ft or m
Real Minimum elevation of surface development ft or m
Real Length of segments defining surfaces ft or m
Real Counterclockwise direction limit for surface
initiation; 0 = no restriction on direction limit
deg
Fourth data line
Real Clockwise direction limit for surface
initiation; 0 = no restriction on direction limit
deg


80

THE BI SHOP SI MPLI FI ED METHOD:
LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line CIRCL2 Command Code
Integer Number of initiation points First data line
Integer Number of surfaces to be generated from
each initiation point

Real X-coordinate of leftmost initiation point ft or m
Real X-coordinate of rightmost initiation point ft or m
Real X-coordinate of left termination limit ft or m
Second data line
Real X-coordinate of right termination limit ft or m
Real Minimum elevation of surface development ft or m
Real Length of segments defining surfaces ft or m
Real Counterclockwise direction limit for surface
initiation; 0 = no restriction on direction limit
deg
Third data line
Real Clockwise direction limit for surface
initiation; 0 = no restriction on direction limit
deg


I nput f or I r r egul ar Sur f ac e Sear c hi ng (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line RANDOM Command Code
First data line Integer 0 = Do not use Janbus correction factor;
1, 2, or 3 = Use Janbus correction factor
(1 if = 0; 2 if c > 0 and > 0; 3 if c = 0)

Integer Number of initiation points Second data line
Integer Number of surfaces to be generated from
each initiation point

Real X-coordinate of leftmost initiation point ft or m
Real X-coordinate of rightmost init iation point ft or m
Real X-coordinate of left termination limit ft or m
Third data line
Real X-coordinate of right termination limit ft or m


81


I nput f or I r r egul ar Sur f ac e Sear c hi ng (i f Spec i f i ed) (Cont .):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Real Minimum elevation of surface development ft or m
Real Length of segments defining surfaces ft or m
Real Counterclockwise direction limit for surface
initiation; 0 = no restriction on direction limit
deg
Fourth data line
Real Clockwise direction limit for surface
initiation; 0 = no restriction on direction limit
deg



I nput f or Bl oc k Sur f ac e Sear c hi ng (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line BLOCK Command Code (or BLOCK2
(1)
)
First data line Integer 0 = Do not use Janbus correction factor;
1, 2, or 3 = Use Janbus correction factor
(1 if = 0; 2 if c > 0 and > 0; 3 if c = 0)

Integer Number of surfaces to be generated
Integer Number of boxes used to generate base of
central block

Second data line
Real Length of segments defining surfaces ft or m
Real X-coordinate of left end of centerline
defining the box
ft or m
Real Y-coordinate of left end of centerline
defining the box
ft or m
Real X-coordinate of right end of centerline
defining the box
ft or m
Real Y-coordinate of right end of centerline
defining the box
ft or m
Third data line
Real Length of vertical side of the box ft or m
(1) BLOCK2 is a sliding block surface modified from BLOCK, the difference being that BLOCK2 generates active and passive
portions of the sliding blocks according to the Rankine theory, where BLOCK generates these more randomly.


82
NOTE: Repeat proceeding of third data line for each box.

I nput f or TI ES:

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line TIES Command Code
First data line Integer Number of tieback loads
Integer Boundary number where tieback load is
applied

Real X-coordinate of the point of application of
tieback load
ft or m
Real Y-coordinate of the point of application of
tieback load
ft or m
Real Load per tieback lb or kN
Real Horizontal spacing between tiebacks ft or m
Real Inclination of tieback load as measured
clockwise from the horizontal plane
deg
Second data line
Real Free length of tieback (equal to zero if other
than a tieback load)
ft or m

NOTE: Repeat preceding of second data line for each tieback load.





I nput f or Suppr essi ng or Reac t i vat i ng Ti ebac k Loads (i f Spec i f i ed):

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line TIES Command Code
First data line Integer Number zero (0)







83


I nput f or NAI LS:

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line NAILS Command Code
First data line Integer Number of groups of soil reinforcement
Integer Boundary number where reinforcement is
applied

Real Y-coordinate of top nail head of the group ft or m
Real Y-coordinate of bottom nail head of the
group
ft or m
Integer Number of reinforcement levels between
the top and the bottom nail of the group

Real Length of the nails in the group ft or m
Real Horizontal spacing between nails ft or m
Real Inclination of nails deg
Real Diameter of the steel section of nails ft or m
Real Allowable tensile stress of nails psf or kPa
Real Unit friction along soil-nail interface psf or kPa
Real Diameter of nail borehole ft or m
Integer Nail head condition: 0 = nails are free at
the head; 1 = nails are fixed

Second data line
Real Maximum allowable head load in free
nails; 0 = 100% free nails
lb or kN

NOTE: Repeat preceding of second data line for each nail group.










84


I nput f or GEOSYN:

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line GEOSYN Command Code
First data line Integer Number of groups of geosynthetic
reinforcement

Integer Boundary number where reinforcement is
applied

Real Y-coordinate of the intersection between
the top layer of the geosynthetic group
and the slope surface
ft or m
Real Y-coordinate of bottom layer of the
geosynthetic group
ft or m
Integer Number of reinforcement levels between
the top and the bottom layers of the
geosynthetic group

Real Length of the geosynthetic in the group ft or m
Real Allowable tensile strength of the
geosynthetic per unit of slope
lb/ft or
kN/m
Second data line
Real Friction efficiency of the geosynthetic

NOTE: Repeat preceding of second data line for each geosynthetic group.




I nput f or SPENCR:

LINE COMMAND VARIABLE TYPE DESCRIPTION UNITS
Command line SPENCR Command Code
First data line Real Estimate of approximate slope angle with
respect to horizontal
deg




85


ERROR MESSAGES


STABL is intended to be error free, assuming that the input data are correctly prepared. To avoid
problems when the data have been incorrectly prepared, STABL checks all data, as they are being read in,
for consistency with program requirements.

If an inconsistency is found in data submitted, STABL points it out by displaying an error
indication. Unless the error is of a nature that demands immediate termination of execution, STABL
continues reading data and checking for more errors until a point is reached in execution where
termination is required as a consequence of previously determined errors.

The errors are coded and referenced to descriptions in the next section. Each input error has a
two-digit number prefixed with two letters, associating the error with a particular command or class of
errors. The prefixes are listed below.



ERROR
PREFI XES
ASSOCI ATED COMMAND OR ERROR CLASS
SQ Command Sequence errors
FR Free-form Reader errors
PF Errors associated with the command PROFIL
WA Errors associated with the command WATER
SF Errors associated with the command SURFAC
LM Errors associated with the command LIMITS
LD Errors associated with the command LOADS
SL Errors associated with the command SOIL
AI Errors associated with the command ANISO
RC Errors associated with the command RANDOM
and CIRCLE
BK Errors associated with the command BLOCK
TI Errors associated with the command TIES
SP Errors associated with the command SPENCR

86


Command Sequenc e Er r or s


SQ01 - A command other than PROFIL has been used as the first command in the execution sequence.
The first command must be PROFIL. PROFIL initializes STABL prior to reading all data
pertinent to the definition of a problem. All data that would have been read prior to encountering
the first use of the command PROFIL would have been nullified and would not have been made
available to STABL for the purpose of analyzing the first problem.

SQ02 - An attempt to compute the factor of safety of a specified trial failure surface with the command
EXECUT has been aborted. The isotropic soil parameters describing the soil types of the current
problem do not exist. After each use of the command PROFIL in an execution sequence, the
isotropic soil parameters of each soil type must be specified by use of the command SOIL before
the command EXECUT may be used. Each time a new problem is introduced in an execution
sequence by the command PROFIL, the soil parameters describing soil types of preceding
problems are no longer available for use.

SQ03 - An attempt to compute the factor of safety of an unspecified trial failure surface with the
command EXECUT has been aborted. After each use of the commands PROFIL, CIRCLE,
RANDOM or BLOCK, a trial failure surface must be specified with the command SURFAC
before the command EXECUT may be used.

SQ04 - The command ANISO has been used without the isotropic soil parameters being defined.
Anisotropic strength data may not be specified unless the isotropic parameters have been defined
by the command SOIL after the last use of the command PROFIL.

SQ05 - An attempt to use one of the commands, RANDOM, CIRCLE, or BLOCK has been aborted.
The isotropic soil parameters describing the soil types of the current problem do not exist. After
each use of the command PROFIL in an execution sequence, the isotropic soil parameters of each
soil type must be specified by use of the command SOIL before any of the above mentioned
commands may be used. Each time a new problem is introduced in an execution sequence by the
command PROFIL, the soil parameters describing soil types of preceding problems are no longer
available for use.



87


Fr ee-f or m Reader Er r or Code


FR01 - Data are insufficient to continue execution. An attempt was made to read beyond the last
data item specified. Check for missing data items. Or, within the line of data displayed, a decimal
point has been detected for a number read as an integer. An integer is not allowed to contain a
decimal point. Check is any number intended to be integer contains a decimal point.


PROFI L Er r or Codes


PF01 - The number of ground surface boundaries exceeds the total number of profile boundaries. The
number of profile boundaries must be less than or equal to the total number of profile boundaries.

PF02 - The number of profile boundaries specified may not exceed 100. The problem must be either
redefined so fewer profile boundaries are used, or the dimensioning of the program must be
increased to accommodate the problem so defined.

PF03 - A negative coordinate has been specified for the profile boundary indicated. All problem
geometry must be located within the first quadrant.

PF04 - The coordinates of the end points of the profile boundary indicated have not been specified in the
required order. The coordinates of the left end point must precede those of the right.

PF05 - The ground surface boundaries indicated are not properly ordered or are not continuously
connected. The ground surface boundaries must be specified from left to right and the ground
surface described must be continuous.

PF06 - The required subsurface boundary order is unsatisfied for the boundaries indicated. Of
boundaries that overlap horizontally, those above the others must be specified first.





88


WATER Er r or Codes

WA01 - An attempt has been made to suppress or reactivate undefined water surface data. Data must be
defined by a prior use of the command WATER before they can be suppressed. Suppressed data
cannot be reactivated if the command PROFIL has been used in the execution sequence
subsequent to their suppression. The command PROFIL nullifies all data prior to their use
whether the data are active or suppressed.

WA02 - The number of points specified to define the water surface exceeds 40. The problem must be
either redefined so fewer points are used, or the dimensioning of the program must be increased to
accommodate the problem as defined.

WA03 - Only one point has been specified to define the water surface. A minimum of two points is
required.

WA04 - A negative coordinate has been specified for the water surface point indicated. All problem
geometry must be located within the first quadrant.

WA05 - The water surface point indicates that it is not to the right of the points specified prior to it. The
points defining the water surface must be specified in left to right order.


SURFAC Er r or Codes


SF01 - The number of points specified to define a trial failure surface exceeds 500. The problem must be
either redefined so fewer points are used, or the dimensioning of the program must be increased to
accommodate the problem as defined.

SF02 - Only one point has been specified to define the trial failure surface. A minimum of two points is
required.

SF03 - A negative coordinate has been specified for the trial failure surface point indicated. All problem
geometry must be located within the first quadrant.

89

SF04 - The trial failure surface point indicated is not to the right of the points specified prior to fit. The
points defining the trial failure surface must be specified in left to right order, and no two points
are allowed to define a vertical line.

SF05 - The first point specified for the trial failure surface is not within the horizontal extent of the
defined ground surface. All points defining a trial failure surface must be within the horizontal
extent of the defined ground surface.

SF06 - The specified trial failure surface does not entirely exist within defined extent of ground surface.
Check that the coordinates of the first and last points of the failure surface exist on a ground
surface boundary. Check the number of boundaries specifying the ground surface boundaries in
the command PROFILE.


LI MI TS Er r or Codes


LM01 - An attempt has been made to suppress or reactivate undefined surface generation boundary data.
Data must be defined by a prior use of the command LIMITS before they can be suppressed.
Suppressed data can not be reactivated if the command PROFIL has been used in the execution
sequence subsequent to their suppression. The command PROFIL nullifies all data read prior to
their use whether the data are active or suppressed.

LM02 - The number of surface generation boundaries specified to deflect upwards exceeds the total
number of boundaries specified. The number of upward deflecting boundaries must not exceed
the total number of boundaries.

LM03 - The number of surface generation boundaries specified exceeds 20. The problem must be either
redefined so fewer surface generation boundaries are used, or the dimensioning of the program
must be increased to accommodate the problem as defined.

LM04 - A negative coordinate has been specified for the surface generation boundary indicated. All
problem geometry must be located within the first quadrant.


90
LM05 - The coordinates of the end points of the surface generation boundary indicated have not been
specified in the required order. The coordinates of the left end point must precede those of the
right.
LOADS Er r or Codes


LD01 - An attempt has been made to suppress or reactivate undefined surcharge boundary loads. Data
must be defined by a prior use of the command LOADS before they can be suppressed.
Suppressed data can not be reactivated if the command PROFIL has been used in the execution
sequence subsequent to their suppression. The command PROFIL nullifies all data read prior to
their use, whether the data are active or suppressed.

LD02 - The number of surcharge boundary loads specified exceeds 10. The problem must be either
redefined so fewer loads are used, or the dimensioning of the program must be increased to
accommodate the problem as defined.

LD03 - A negative coordinate has been specified for the surcharge boundary load indicated. All problem
geometry must be located within the first quadrant.

LD04 - The X-coordinates defining the horizontal extend of the surcharge boundary load indicated have
not been specified in the required order. The X-coordinate of the left end of the load must precede
the X-coordinate of the right end.

LD05 - The surcharge boundary load indicated is not to the right of all the loads specified prior to it or
overlaps one or more of them. The loads must be specified left to right and are not allowed to
overlap.


SOI L Er r or Codes


SL01 - The profile boundary indicated with this error message has an undefined soil type index. The
number of soil types specified must be greater than or equal to each soil type index that has been
assigned to profile boundaries.


91
SL02 - The number of soil types may not exceed 20. The problem must be either redefined so fewer soil
types are used, or the dimensioning of the program must be increased to accommodate the
problem as defined.

SL03 - An attempt has been made to change the parameters of one or more soil types that are undefined.
No soil types have been defined since the last use of the command PROFIL. When a new
problem is introduced by the command PROFIL, the soil parameters, describing soil types of
preceding problems in the execution sequence, are no longer available for use and cannot therefore
be changed.

SL04 - The number of soil types to be changed is greater than the total number of soil types already
defined. This implies changing isotropic soil parameters of soil types that have not been specified
and therefore is not permitted. The number of soil types to be changed must be less than or equal
to the number of soil types specified by a previous use of the command SOIL. Each soil type must
be previously specified, before its parameters may be changed.

SL05 - An attempt has been made to change the parameters describing an unspecified soil type. The soil
type must be defined before it may be modified. The index of each soil type to be changed must
be less than the total number of soil types.


ANI SO Er r or Codes


AI 01 - An attempt has been made to suppress or reactivate undefined anisotropic strength data. Data
must be defined by a prior use of the command ANISO before they can be suppressed.
Suppressed data can not be reactivated if the command PROFIL has been used in the execution
sequence subsequent to their suppression. The command PROFIL nullifies all data read prior to
their use whether the data are active or suppressed.

AI 02 - The number of anisotropic soil types specified may not exceed the number of soil types specified
by the command SOIL.

AI 03 - The number of anisotropic soil types specified exceeds 5. The problem must be either redefined
so fewer anisotropic soil types are used, or the dimensioning of the program must be increased to
accommodate the problem as defined.


92
AI 04 - The soil type index indicated is greater than the number of soil types specified by the command
SOIL. The index of each anisotropic soil type must be less than or equal to the number of soil
types specified.

AI 05 - The number of direction ranges specified for the anisotropic soil type indicated is less than 2 or
exceeds 10. No soil type should be defined anisotropic with number of direction ranges less than
2, as this means soil is isotropic. Also no soil type should exceed 10 direction ranges. If this is
desired, the dimensions of the program must be increased.

AI 06 - The counterclockwise limit of each direction range must be specified in counterclockwise order, if
the anisotropic strength is to be properly defined for the anisotropic soil type indicated.

AI 07 - The total direction range for the anisotropic soil type indicated has not been completely defined.
The counterclockwise limit of the last direction range specified must be 90.


RANDOM and CI RCLE Er r or Codes


RC01 - The first initiation point lies to the left of the defined ground surface. The X-coordinate of the
first initiation point must be specified so all trial failure surfaces generated will intersect the
defined ground surface when they initiate.

RC02 - The first and last initiation points are not correctly specified. They must be specified in left to
right order.

RC03 - The last initiation point lies to the right of the defined ground surface. The X-coordinate of the
last initiation point must be specified so all trial failure surfaces generated will intersect the
defined ground surface when they initiate.

RC04 - The right termination limit lies to the right of the defined ground surface. The right termination
limit must be specified so all trial failure surfaces generated will intersect the defined ground
surface when they terminate.

RC05 - The left and right termination limits are not correctly specified. They must be specified in left-
right order.

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RC06 - The last initiation point lies to the right of the right termination limit. It is impossible to
successfully generate any trial failure surfaces, when the initiation point lies to the right
termination limit.
RC07 - The depth limitation for trial failure surface development is negative. The depth limitation must
be set at or above the X-axis so the generated trial failure surfaces will not be allowed to develop
below it.

RC08 - The length specified for the line segments used to generate trial failure surfaces is less than or
equal to zero. The length must be greater than zero.

RC09 - An initiation point is below the depth limitation. The depth limitation must be set lower to
enable the successful generation of trial failure surfaces from all initiation points.

RC10 - The number of points defining a generated trial failure surface exceeds 500. The length specified
for the line segments must be increased.

RC11 - 200 attempts to generate a single trial failure surface have failed. The search limitations are either
too restrictive, or they actually prevent successful generation of a trial failure surface from one to
more of the initiation points. Check and revise the search limitations or use an alternative trial
surface generator.

RC12 - Fewer than 10 trial surfaces have been specified to be generated. A minimum of 10 must be
generated.

RC13 - The angle specified as clockwise direction limit for surface generation is larger than the angle
specified as counterclockwise direction limit. This is not correct. Check to see if angles have
been reversed.

RC16 - If the Janbus empirical coefficient is being used, the soil case was chosen incorrectly, i.e., not
equal to one of the following integers: 0, 1, 2, or 3.


BLOCK Er r or Codes



94
BK01 - The number of boxes specified for a sliding block search exceeds 10. The problem must be either
redefined so fewer points are used, or the dimensioning of the program must be increased to
accommodate the problem as defined.

BK02 - The length specified for the line segments used to generate the active and passive portions of the
trial failure surfaces is less than or equal to zero. The length must be greater than zero.

BK03 - The two coordinate points specified to define the centerline of the box indicated have not been
specified correctly. The left point must be specified first.

BK04 - The box indicated and the one specified before it are not properly ordered, or they overlap. All
boxes must be specified in left to right order and the boxes are not allowed to overlap one another.

BK05 - The box indicated is wholly or partially defined outside of the first quadrant. All problem
geometry must be located within the first quadrant.

BK06 - The box indicated is wholly or partially above the defined ground surface. Each box must be
defined totally below the ground surface.

BK07 - It is not possible to complete the active portion of the failure surface from part of or all of the last
box specified. The last box specified must be entirely to the left of the right end of the defined
ground surface.

BK08 - It is not possible to complete the passive portion of the failure surface from part of or all of the
first box specified. The first box specified must be entirely to the right of a fictitious line extended
downward at 45 with the horizontal from the left end of the defined ground surface.

BK09 - The number of points defining a generated trial failure surface exceeds 500. The length specified
for the line segments of the active and passive portions of the generated trial failure surfaces must
be increased.

BK10 - 200 attempts to generate a single trial failure surface have failed. The search limitations are
either too restrictive or they actually prevent successful generation of a trial failure surface. Check
and revise the search limitations or use an alternate trial surface generator.


95
BK11 - Fewer than 10 trial failure surfaces have been specified to be generated. A minimum of 10 must
be generated.

BK12 - The point(s) calculated on active or passive portion of the sliding block is not within the
horizontal extent of the defined ground surface. Either the specified boxes should be changed or
the geometry of the problem should be extended to include the point(s) in question.

BK16 - If the Janbus empirical coefficient is being used, the soil case was chosen incorrectly, i.e., not
equal to one of the following integers: 0, 1, 2, or 3.


TI ES Er r or Codes


TI 01 - An attempt has been made to suppress or reactivate undefined tieback loads. Data must be
defined by a prior use of the command TIES before they can be suppressed. Suppressed data can
not be reactivated if the command PROFIL has been used in the execution sequence subsequent to
their use, whether the data are active or suppressed.

TI 02 - The number of tieback loads specified exceeds 20. The problem must either be redefined so fewer
tieback loads are used, or dimensioning of the program must be increased to accommodate the
problem as defined.

TI 03 - A negative coordinate has been specified for the tieback load indicated or the calculated Y-
coordinate of the end of the tieback is negative. All problem geometry must be located within the
first quadrant.

TI 04 - The inclination limits have been exceeded for the tieback load indicated. The inclination of a
tieback load must be equal to or greater than 0 and less than 180 as measured clockwise from the
horizontal.

TI 05 - The point of application of the tieback load specified does not lie on the ground surface boundary
specified. Check the boundary number specified and the X- and Y-coordinates at the point of
application of the tieback load indicated.


96
TI 06 - The horizontal spacing between tiebacks for the two of tiebacks indicated is incorrect. The
horizontal spacing between tiebacks must be greater than or equal to 1 ft (or 1 m is using SI units).

TI 07 - The length of the tieback indicated is incorrect. The length of a tieback must be greater than or
equal to zero (ft or m). Zero is used for loads other than tieback type of loads.


SPENCR Er r or Code


SP01 - An incorrect value for the approximate slope angle has been specified. The slope angle specified
must be greater than 0 and less than 90.

97
REFERENCES



Boutrup, E. (1977) "Computerized Slope Stability Analysis for Indiana Highways." Joint Highway
Research Project, JHRP-77-25, JHRP-77-26 (volumes); School of Civil Engineering, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana; 512p.
Carpenter, J.R. (1985) "STABL5...The Spencer Method of Slices: Final Report." Joint Highway
Research Project, JHRP-85-17; School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West
Lafayette, Indiana.
Carpenter, J.R. (1986) "Slope Stability Analysis Considering Tiebacks and Other Concentrated Loads."
Joint Highway Research Project, JHRP-86-21; International Report; School of Civil
Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Carter, R.K. (1971) "Computer Oriented Slope Stability Analysis by Method of Slices." MSCE Thesis,
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; 120p.
Chen, R.-H. (1981) "Three-Dimensional Slope Stability Analysis." Joint Highway Research Project,
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Kim, J. (1998) Limit Analysis of Soil Slope Stability Using Finite Elements and Linear Programming.
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Pressures. Geotechnical Engineering Report (1999-1); School of Civil Engineering, Purdue
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Koerner, R.M. (1994) Desgining with Geosynthetics. Third Edition; Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
Lovell, C.W. (1982) "Three-Dimensional Slope Stability." Proceedings 13
th
Annual Ohio River Valley
Soils Seminar, Lexington, Kentucky; 9p.
Morlier, P. and Tenier P. (1982) "Influence of Concentrated Loads on Slope Stability." Canadian
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Ortigo, J.A.R.; Palmeira, E.M.; and Zirlis, A. (1995) "Experience with Soil Nailing in Brazil: 1970-
1994." Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers (Geotechnical Engineering), 113,
London; 93-106.
Siegel, R.A. (1975a) "Computer Analysis of General Slope Stability Problems." Joint Highway Research
Project, JHRP-75-8; School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana,
May 1975; 210p.
Siegel, R.A. (1975b) "STABL User Manual." Joint Highway Research Project, JHRP-75-9; School of
Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; 104p (Revised by E. Boutrup,
1978).
Yu, H.S.; Salgado, R.; and Sloan, S.W. (1998) Limit Analysis Versus Limit Equilibrium for Slope
Stability. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering; ASCE; 124 (1), 1-11.