SAMPLE PROBLEM 1

A natural slope with a grade of 45% is underlain by a residual soil derived from the underlying gneiss. (a) Compute
the factor of safety for a failure of 4ft below the ground surface using infinite slope analysis with cohesion of
1000psf, angle of friction equal to zero, and in situ unit weight of the slope is 118pcf, (b) Compute for the factor of
safety when seepage forces are considered, the soil has the following properties: In situ void ratio of 0.84, and in
situ moisture content is 16%, and (c) determine the critical height to maintain equilibrium in the slope. Draw the
figure.

(a) Without seepage 𝛾 ′ = 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 − 𝛾𝑤

2𝑐′ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙′
𝐹𝑆 = + 𝛾 ′ = 130.23 − 62.4
𝛾𝐻𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛽 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽
𝛾 ′ = 67.83 𝑝𝑐𝑓
2(1000) 𝑡𝑎𝑛0
𝐹𝑆 = + 2(1000) 67.83𝑡𝑎𝑛0
118(4)𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛽 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽 𝐹𝑆 = +
130.23(4)𝑠𝑖𝑛2(24.23) 130.23𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽
𝑉
𝑔% = × 100
𝐻
𝑉 𝐹𝑆 = 5.13
45% = × 100
1
(c)
𝑉 = 0.45 2𝑐′
1=
0.45 𝛾𝐻𝐶𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛽
tan 𝛽 =
1 2(1000)
1=
𝛽 = 24.23° (118)𝐻𝐶𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛽
2(1000) 𝐻𝐶𝑅 = 22.64 𝑓𝑡
𝐹𝑆 = +0
118(4)𝑠𝑖𝑛2(24.23°)
2𝑐′ 𝛾′ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙′
1= +
𝐹𝑆 = 5.661 𝛾𝐻𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛽 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽
(b) With Seepage 𝐻𝐶𝑅 = 20.52 𝑓𝑡

𝐺𝑠 + 𝑒
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 𝛾
1+𝑒 𝑤
𝐺𝑠 𝜔 = 𝑆𝑒

𝐺𝑠 (0.16) = (1)(0.84)

𝐺𝑠 = 5.25
𝐺𝑠 (1 + 𝜔)
𝛾𝑚 = 𝛾𝑤
1+𝑒
𝐺𝑠 (1 + 0.16)
118 = (62.4)
1 + 0.84
𝐺𝑠 = 3.00 [2.6 < 𝐺𝑠 < 2.9]
3 + 0.84
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = (62.4)
1 + 0.84
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 130.23 𝑝𝑐𝑓
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
A 2H:1V natural slope is underlain by a 3m thick (measured vertically) granular soil cover over bedrock. Compute
for the factor of safety and critical height using the infinite slope analysis with an angle of internal friction equal to
35o, assuming the following conditions: (a) the soil cover is totally dry and unit weight is equal to 18 kN/m3, (b) the
soil cover is moist with a moisture content of 22%, and (c) the soil cover is totally saturated with a void ratio of
1.12. Draw the figure.

1 𝐺𝑠
𝛽 = tan−1 ( ) 𝛾𝑑 = 𝛾
1+𝑒 𝑤
2
𝐺𝑠
𝛽 = 26.57° 18 = (9.81)
1 + 1.12
For a and b
𝐺𝑠 = 3.89 [2.6 < 𝐺𝑠 < 2.9]
2𝑐′ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙′
𝐹𝑆 = + 𝛾′ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙′
𝛾𝐻𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛽 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽 𝐹𝑆 =
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙′
𝐹𝑆 = 0 + 13.37𝑡𝑎𝑛35
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽 𝐹𝑆 =
23.18𝑡𝑎𝑛26.57
𝑡𝑎𝑛35
𝐹𝑆 = 𝐹𝑆 = 0.81
𝑡𝑎𝑛26.57
𝐻𝐶𝑅 = 0
𝐹𝑆 = 1.40
2(0) 𝑡𝑎𝑛35
1= +
18𝐻𝐶𝑅 𝑠𝑖𝑛2(26.57) 𝑡𝑎𝑛26.57
𝐻𝐶𝑅 = 0
(c)
2𝑐′ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙′
𝐹𝑆 = +
𝛾𝐻𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝛽 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽
𝐺𝑠 + 𝑒
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 𝛾
1+𝑒 𝑤
3.89 + 1.12
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = (9.81)
1 + 1.12
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 23.18 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
𝛾 ′ = 13.37 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3
An excavation is made in a soil with a grade of 60%. The soil properties are: unit weight of soil is 18 kN/m3,
effective friction angle is 27o, and effective cohesion is 16 kPa. (a) How deep can the excavation continue before
failure occurs? (b) What is the orientation of the potential plane of failure with respect to the horizontal? (c) What
is the factor of safety against sliding of the excavation if it has a depth of 2m? Draw the figure.

(a)
0.6
𝑉 = 𝐴(1)
𝛽 = tan−1 ( ) 1 2 2
1 = ( )( )( )sin(1.98)
2 sin(30.96) sin(28.98)
𝛽 = 30.96°
𝛾𝐻 1 − cos(𝛽 − 𝜙𝑑′ )
𝑉 = 0.277 𝑚3
𝑐′𝑑 = [ ]
4 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜙𝑑′
𝑊 = 𝛾𝑉 = (18)(0.277)(1) = 4.986 𝑘𝑁
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙′
1= 𝜙𝑑′ = 𝜙′ 𝐹𝑆
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙𝑑′ (16)(2) + [4.986 sin(28.98) cos(28.98) − (0)(2)]tan(27)
=
4.986𝑠𝑖𝑛 2 (28.98)
𝑐′
1= 𝑐 ′ 𝑑 = 𝑐′
𝑐′𝑑
𝐹𝑆 = 28.26
18𝐻𝐶𝑅 1−cos(30.96−27)
16 = [ ]
4 sin(30.96)cos(27)

𝐻𝐶𝑅 = 682.62 𝑚
(b)
𝜙+𝛽
𝜃=
2
27 + 30.96
𝜃=
2
𝜃 = 28.98°

𝑐 ′𝐻 + [ 𝑊𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 𝑢𝐻 ]𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙 ′

𝐹𝑆 =
𝑊𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃

𝑐 ′ = 16 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐻 = 2𝑚
𝑢=0
𝜙′ = 27°
𝑊 = 𝛾𝑉 = 𝛾𝐴(1)
1 1
𝐴 = (2) 𝑏ℎ = (2) absinθ
2 2
𝑏= =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 sin(28.98)
2 2
𝑎= =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽 sin(30.96)
𝛼 = 30.96 − 28.98 = 1.98°
SAMPLE PROBLEM 4
A finite earth slope has a height of 3m and the angle it makes with the horizontal is approximately 50 o. If
the soil prone to sliding has the following properties: Unit weight of 15.7 kN/m3, effective angle of
internal friction of 10o, and an effective cohesion of 28.7 kPa. Compute for (a) the factor of safety against
sliding of the soil, (b) the cohesion at plane of potential shear failure, (c) critical height for potential shear
failure, (d) the new factor of safety against sliding of the soil if the location of the groundwater table from
the top and toe of the slope are 1.0m and 0.1m. Draw the figure.

(a)
𝑐 ′𝐻 + [ 𝑊𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 𝑢𝐻 ]𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙 ′
𝐹𝑆 =
𝑊𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
(28.7)(3) + [(63.087) sin(30) cos(30)]tan(10)
𝐹𝑆 =
63.087𝑠𝑖𝑛2 (30)
𝐹𝑆 = 5.765

(b)

′
𝛾𝐻 1 − cos(𝛽 − 𝜙𝑑′ )
𝑐 𝑑 = [ ]
4 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜙𝑑′
(15.7)(3) 1 − cos(50 − 10)
𝑐′𝑑 = [ ]
4 sin(50)cos(10)

𝑐 ′ 𝑑 = 3.652 𝑘𝑃𝑎
(c)

4𝑐𝑑 ′ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜙𝑑′

𝐻𝑐𝑟 = ( )[ ]
𝛾 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝛽 − 𝜙𝑑′ )

4(28.7) sin(50) cos(10)

𝐻𝑐𝑟 = ( )[ ]
15.7 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠(50 − 10)
𝐻𝑐𝑟 = 23.578 𝑚

(d) FS @ 1m (Top)

𝑢 = 9.81(2) = 19.62
(28.7)(3) + [(63.087) sin(30) cos(30) − (19.62)(3)]tan(10)
𝐹𝑆 =
63.087𝑠𝑖𝑛2 (30)
𝐹𝑆 = 5.107
(d) FS @ 0.1 m (Toe)

𝑢 = 9.81(0.1) = 0.981
(28.7)(3) + [(63.087) sin(30) cos(30) − (0.981)(3)]tan(10)
𝐹𝑆 =
63.087𝑠𝑖𝑛2 (30)
𝐹𝑆 = 5.732
𝑊 = 𝛾𝑉 = 𝛾𝐴(1)
 1 1
𝐴 = (2) 𝑏ℎ = (2) absinθ
3 3
𝑏= =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 sin(60)
3 3
𝑎= =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽 sin(30)
𝛼 = 50 − 30 = 20°

1 3 3
𝑉 = 𝐴(1) = ( ) ( )( )sin(20)
2 sin(60) sin(30)

𝑉 = 4.0183 𝑚3

𝑊 = 𝛾𝑉 = (15.7)(4.0183)(1) = 63.087 𝑘𝑁
SAMPLE PROBLEM 5
A cut slope is to be made in a soft clay with its sides rising at an angle of 75 o with the horizontal. Unit
weight of the soil is 17.3 kN/m3 with an undrained shear strength 𝑐𝑢 of 31.10 kPa. (a) Determine the
maximum depth up to which the excavation can be carried out, (b) Find the radius of the critical circle
when the factor of safety is 1, (c) Determine the distance of the point of intersection of the critical failure
circle from the crest of the slope. Draw the figure.

(a)
𝑐′
𝐹𝑆𝑐 ′ = 𝐹𝑆 = 1
𝑐′𝑑

1=FS’

𝑐′
1=
𝑐′𝑑
31.10
0.219 =
17.3𝐻𝑐𝑟
𝐻𝑐𝑟 = 8.21 𝑚
(b)Refer to the fig
𝐻𝑐𝑟
𝐴𝐶 =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

8.21
𝐴𝐶 =
sin(42.5)
𝐴𝐶 = 12.15
𝐴𝐶
𝑅= 2
𝛼
sin ( )
2

12.15
𝑅= 2
53.5
sin ( 2 )
𝑅 = 13.50 𝑚

(c)
𝐻𝑐𝑟 𝐻𝑐𝑟
𝑥= −
tanθ tanβ

8.21 8.21
𝑥= −
tan(42.5) tan(75)
SAMPLE PROBLEM 6
A fill slope is made in a homogenous silty clay with a standard height of 5m,
at a slope of 60o from the horizontal. Determine the factor of safety of the
slope, location of the critical circle, and critical height for equilibrium when:
(a) 𝑐𝑢 = 35 kPa , 𝜙 = 0 ; (b) 𝑐′ = 23.2 kPa , 𝜙 = 10o .
5
𝐴𝐶 =
𝑐′𝑑 sin(35)
𝑚=
𝛾𝐻 𝐴𝐶 = 8.72
(a) 𝐴𝐶
𝑐′𝑑 𝑅= 2
0.195 = 𝛼
18(5) sin ( 2 )
𝑐′𝑑 = 17.55
𝑐𝑢 8.72
𝐹𝑆 = 𝐹𝑆𝑐 ′ =
𝑐′𝑑 𝑅= 2
35 72.5
𝐹𝑆 = sin ( 2 )
17.55
𝑐′ 𝑐𝑢 𝑅 = 7.37 𝑚 @𝛼 = 72.5°
𝐹𝑆 = 𝐹𝑆𝑐 ′ = =
𝑐′𝑑 𝑐′𝑑
′
𝐹𝑆𝑐 = 1
For condition (b) use the same concepts
𝑐𝑢 = 𝑐′𝑑
as (a) but apply changes in “m” due to the
𝐹𝑆 = 1
𝑐𝑢 change in 𝜙
𝑚=
𝛾𝐻𝑐𝑟
35
0.195 =
18𝐻𝑐𝑟
𝐻𝑐𝑟 = 9.97𝑚
(c)
𝐻𝑐𝑟
𝐴𝐶 =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃