SLOPE STABILITY

CE133-3 BRIDGE ENGINEERING

Introduction

 An exposed ground surface that stands at an

angle (b) with the horizontal is called slope.
Slopes are required in the construction of
highway and railway embankments, earth dams,
levees and canals.
 These are constructed by sloping the lateral
faces of the soil because slopes are generally less
expensive than constructing walls.
 Two Types:
Natural slopes: Due too natural causes
Man made slopes: Cutting and embankments
 Made slopes are used in
 Highways
 Railways
 Earth dams
 River Training works

 The slopes whether natural or artificial may be

 Infinite slopes
 Finite slopes
 Infinite slopes: They have dimensions that
extend over great distances and the soil mass is
inclined to the horizontal.
 Finite slopes: A finite slope is one with a base
and top surface, the height being limited. The
inclined faces of earth dams, embankments and
excavation and the like are all finite slopes.
Factor of safety
 Factor of safety of a slope is defined as the ratio of
average shear strength (tf ) of a soil to the average shear
stress (td) developed along the potential failure surface.

 FS = Factor of safety
 tf = average shear strength of the soil
 td = average shear stress developed along the potential
surface.
Solutions to Slope Stability Problems

 Change alignment
 Lower grade
 Counterweight berm
 Excavate and replace weak soil
Ground Improvement
 Grouting
 Vertical Wick Drains
 Stone Columns
 Vibro Compaction
 Dynamic Compaction
 Soil Mixing
 Soil Nailing
 Reinforced Soil Slopes
 Micropiles
Ground Improvement Stone Columns
ANALYSIS OF INFINITE SLOPE
For Clay Soil

H
c = cohesion
b = angle of backfill from horizontal
𝛽 Ф = angle of internal friction
H = thickness of layer of soil

FACTOR OF SAFETY AGAINST SLIDING WITHOUT SEEPAGE

𝑐 tan ∅
𝐹𝑆 = +
𝛾𝐻 sin 𝛽 cos 𝛽 tan 𝛽
For Clay Soil

H
c = cohesion
b = angle of backfill from horizontal
𝛽 Ф = angle of internal friction
H = thickness of layer of soil

FACTOR OF SAFETY AGAINST SLIDING WITH SEEPAGE

𝑐 ′tan ∅
𝐹𝑆 = +
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 𝐻 sin 𝛽 cos 𝛽 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 tan 𝛽
 H
c = cohesion
b = angle of backfill from horizontal
𝛽 Ф = angle of internal friction
H = thickness of layer of soil

Maximum height of the slope for which critical equilibrium

occurs.
𝑐
𝐻𝑐𝑟 =
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 cos2𝛽 (tan 𝛽 − tan )
ANALYSIS OF FINITE SLOPE
Problem 1
An infinite slope is shown. Find the factor of safety against
sliding assuming there is no water pressure. Also determine the
factor of safety if the pore water pressure is present and the
water table level coincides with the ground surface. Lastly, for
a value of b = 32 degrees, find the value of H for a factor of
safety FS = 1.0.
c = 18 kPa
b = 22°
B Ф = 26°
H = 8m
 = 18.50 kN/m3
H A sat = 21.40kN/m3
𝛽
Problem 2
An infinite slope of granular soil has a slope of 23 degrees.
The saturated unit weight of sand is 21.5 kN/m3 and the
effective friction of angle is 35 degrees. The sand has a depth
of 5m over the sledge rock. Depth of sand is measured
vertically.
a) Compute the FS without seepage.
b) Compute FS subjected to partial seepage parallel to the
slope with water at a vertical depth of 3m above the
sledge rock.
c) Compute FS subjected to full seepage parallel to the
slope.
Problem 3
A cut slope is to be made as shown. The unit weight of soil is
15.74 kN/m3 and an angle of friction of 10 degrees. The soil
cohesion is 28.8 kN/m2. The trial failure plane males and angle
of 30 degrees with the horizontal while the cut slope makes an
anlge of 50 degrees with the horizontal. If H is equal to 3 m,
determine the following.
a) Force that causes sliding
b) Resistance sliding force.
c) Factor of safety against slinding