Department of Structural Engineering

Geotechnical Group
3rd Year Civil

Stability of Slopes
Dr. Sayed Mohamed Elaraby
Associate Professor in Geotechnical Engineering

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 1

Table of Content
1. Introduction
2. Slope Stability Analyses
3. Translational Slip
4. Rotational Slip
5. Stability Charts
6. Useful Information

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 2

 1- Introduction

It is estimated that 32,300 people died in 2,620 landslides between 2004 and 2010.
This estimate does not include the landslides induced by earthquakes
2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 3
1-1- Types of Soil Slope Failures
Slip surface ≡ plane of failure

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 4

2- Slope Stability Analyses
The methods for slope stability analysis adopt limit equilibrium techniques.

They require strength information of the soils and pore-water pressure.

They do not provide information about the magnitude of movements.

They yield a factor of safety.

They are commonly applied in the design process.

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 5

 2-1- Factor of Safety for Slopes (FS)
𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟
𝐹𝑆 =
𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 6

𝜏𝑓 ‫ 𝑙𝑑 𝑓𝜏׬‬Σ 𝜏𝑓 Δ𝑙 s
𝐹𝑆 = = = s t (shear decreases
𝜏 ‫𝑙𝑑 𝜏 ׬‬ Σ 𝜏 Δ𝑙 the stability)
t
 FS > 1 (shear increases the stability)
→ Stable and unsafe slope
 If FS ≤ 1
→ Unstable slope (may be safe or unsafe)
 Safe slopes: Minimum FS: 1.3 for temporary condition & 1.5 for permeant
condition (alternatively, use LRFD approach)
2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY
 2-2- Effective Stress Analysis versus Total Stress Analysis
Effective Stress Analysis

Σ 𝑐 ′ + 𝜎 − 𝑢 tan 𝜙′ Δ𝐿𝑎
𝐹𝑆 =
Σ 𝜏Δ𝐿𝑎
7

Total Stress analysis (Undrained Case)

s
s t (shear decreases
Σ 𝑐𝑢 + 𝜎 tan 𝜙𝑢 Δ𝐿𝑎 Σ𝑐𝑢 Δ𝐿𝑎
𝐹𝑆 = = t u DL the stability)
u a
Σ 𝜏Δ𝐿𝑎 Σ 𝜏Δ𝐿𝑎
(shear increases the stability)
Σ𝑐𝑢 Δ𝐿𝑎
𝐼𝑛 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝜙𝑢 = 0 → 𝐹𝑆 =
Σ 𝜏Δ𝐿𝑎

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY

 3- Translational Slip

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 8

3- 1- Infinite Slope
𝑊 = 𝛾 𝐻 𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛽 L

W P1
𝑁 = 𝑊 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 = 𝛾 𝐻 𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 N

P1
T
𝑇 = 𝑊 sin 𝛽 = 𝛾 𝐻 𝐿 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 H

b
𝛾 𝐻 𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝛽
𝜎𝑛 = = 𝛾 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽
𝐿

𝛾 𝐻 𝐿 sin 𝛽 cos 𝛽
𝜏= = 𝛾 𝐻 sin 𝛽 cos 𝛽
𝐿

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 9

3-2- Cohesionless Soils: Dry Condition
𝜎𝑛 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 L

W P1
N
𝜏 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 sin 𝛽 cos 𝛽
P1
T
H
𝜏𝑓 = 𝜎′𝑛 tan 𝜙′ =𝛾𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 tan 𝜙′ b

𝜏𝑓 tan 𝜙′
𝐹𝑆 = =
𝜏 tan 𝛽

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 10

3-3- Cohesive Soil (Undrained fu=0)
𝜎𝑛 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 L

W P1
N
𝜏 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 sin 𝛽 cos 𝛽
P1
T
H
𝜏𝑓 = 𝑐𝑢 b

𝜏𝑓 𝑐𝑢 2 𝑐𝑢
𝐹𝑆 = = =
𝜏 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 sin 𝛽 cos 𝛽 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 sin 2𝛽

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 11

 3-4- General case (c’-f’ soil): Dry Condition
L
2 𝜏 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 sin 𝛽 cos 𝛽
𝜎𝑛 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛽
W P1
N

P1
T
H
𝜏𝑓 = 𝑐 ′ + 𝜎′𝑛 tan 𝜙′ =c’ + 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 tan 𝜙′
b

𝜏𝑓 2 𝑐′ tan 𝜙′
𝐹𝑆 = = +
𝜏 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 sin 2𝛽 tan 𝛽

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 12

 3-4- General case (c’-f’ soil): Dry Condition
𝜏𝑓 L

𝐹𝑆 = N W P1
𝜏
P1
T
𝜏𝑓 = 𝑐′ + 𝜎𝑛 tan 𝜙′ H
𝜏 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 sin 𝛽 cos 𝛽 b

f'
c'
𝜎𝑛 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽
b

𝜎𝑛 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽
2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 13
3-5- Cohesionless Soils: Submerged Condition
𝑊 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛽 L

𝑈 = 𝛾𝑤 𝐻 𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛽 (Archimedes principle) Pw2

P1
𝜎𝑛 = 𝑊 − 𝑈 cos 𝛽 = 𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 UW Pw1
Pw3 N
T
𝜏 = 𝑊 − 𝑈 sin 𝛽 = 𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝐻 sin 𝛽 cos 𝛽 H
P1
2
𝜏𝑓 = 𝜎′𝑛 tan 𝜙′ =𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛽 tan 𝜙′ b Pw1U Pw4
Pw4 Pw2
𝜏𝑓 tan 𝜙′
𝐹𝑆 = = Pw3
𝜏 tan 𝛽 U = Resultant of the water pressures
2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 14
3-6- General case (c’-f’ soil): Submerged Condition
L
𝜎𝑛 = 𝑊 − 𝑈 cos 𝛽 = 𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽
Pw2
𝜏 = 𝑊 − 𝑈 sin 𝛽 = 𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝐻 sin 𝛽 cos 𝛽 P1
UW Pw1
𝜏𝑓 = 𝑐 ′ + 𝜎′𝑛 tan 𝜙′ Pw3 N
T
= 𝑐 ′ + 𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 tan 𝜙′ P1 H

b Pw1U Pw4
𝜏𝑓 2 𝑐′ tan 𝜙′ Pw4 Pw2
𝐹𝑆 = = +
𝜏 𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝐻 sin 2𝛽 tan 𝛽 Pw3
U = Resultant of the water pressures
2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 15
 3-7- Cohesionless Soils: Seepage Parallel to the Slope
𝜎𝑛 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 − 𝛾𝑤 𝐻𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 𝜏 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 sin 𝛽 cos 𝛽
L

W P1 Hw
𝜏𝑓 = 𝜎′𝑛 tan 𝜙′ b
N
=(𝛾𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 − 𝛾𝑤 𝐻𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽) tan 𝜙′ P1
T
H
𝜏𝑓 tan 𝜙′ 𝛾𝑤 𝐻𝑤
𝐹𝑆 = = 1−
𝜏 tan 𝛽 𝛾𝑏 𝐻

𝜏𝑓 tan 𝜙′ 𝛾𝑤 1 tan 𝜙′
In case Hw ≥ H → 𝐹𝑆 = = 1− ≈ ×
𝜏 tan 𝛽 𝛾𝑏 2 tan 𝛽
2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 16
 3-8- General case (c’-f’ soil): Seepage Parallel to the Slope
𝜎𝑛 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 − 𝛾𝑤 𝐻𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 𝜏 = 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 sin 𝛽 cos 𝛽
L

W P1 H
𝑐′
𝜏𝑓 = + 𝜎′𝑛 tan 𝜙′ b
N w

= 𝑐 ′ + (𝛾𝑏 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 − 𝛾𝑤 𝐻𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽) tan 𝜙′ P1 T

H
𝜏𝑓 2 𝑐′ tan 𝜙′ 𝛾𝑤 𝐻𝑤
𝐹𝑆 = = + 1−
𝜏 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 sin 2𝛽 tan 𝛽 𝛾𝑏 𝐻

𝜏𝑓 2 𝑐′ tan 𝜙′ 𝛾𝑤 2 𝑐′ 1 tan 𝜙′
In case Hw ≥ H → 𝐹𝑆 = = + 1− ≈ + ×
𝜏 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 sin 2𝛽 tan 𝛽 𝛾𝑏 𝛾𝑏 𝐻 sin 2𝛽 2 tan 𝛽
2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 17
 4- Rotational Slip

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 18

4-1- Mass Method - Total Stress Analysis (fu=0)
𝛴𝑐𝑢 𝛥𝐿𝑎 𝑅 𝛴𝑐𝑢 𝛥𝐿𝑎
𝐹𝑆 = = O
𝛴 𝜏𝛥𝐿𝑎 𝑅 𝛴 𝜏𝛥𝐿𝑎 q
d R
ds
For a uniform soil
Weight W

𝑀𝑅 𝐿𝑎 𝐶𝑢 𝑅
𝐹𝑆 = = R
𝑀𝐷 𝑊𝑑 sn t
2 𝑜 𝜋 La
𝐶𝑢 𝑅 𝜃 .
𝐹𝑆 = 180 DLa
𝑊𝑑
2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 19
 4-2- Mass Method - Effect of Surcharge Loads and Tension Cracks

𝜋 Q = q Lq
𝐶𝑢 𝑅2 𝜃𝑐𝑜 . dq
𝐹𝑆 = 180 Lq
𝑊. 𝑑 + 𝑃𝑤 . 𝑦𝑐 + 𝑄. 𝑑𝑞

g w hc

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 20

 4-2- Mass Method - Multi-Layers Clay

𝜋 𝜋
𝐶𝑢𝐴 𝑅2 𝜃𝐴𝑜 . + 𝐶𝑢𝐵 𝑅2 𝜃𝐵𝑜 . + …
𝐹𝑆 = 180 180
𝑊𝐴 𝑑𝐴 + 𝑊𝐵 𝑑𝐵 + …

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 21

4-3- Friction Circle Method
Σ 𝑐 ′ + 𝜎−𝑢 tan 𝜙′ Δ𝐿𝑎
𝐹𝑆 = O
Σ 𝜏Δ𝐿𝑎
′ q
Σ 𝑐 + 𝜎 − 𝑢 tan 𝜙′ Δ𝐿𝑎 𝑅 dW R
𝐹𝑆 = ds
Σ 𝜏Δ𝐿𝑎 𝑅
𝑀𝑅 Weight W
𝐹𝑆 =
𝑀𝐷
R

Driving Moment 𝑀𝐷 = 𝑊 𝑑 sn
t La

DLa
Resisting Moment 𝑀𝑅 (? ? )

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 22

4-3- Friction Circle Method

Resultant of the cohesive forces

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 23

4-3- Friction Circle Method

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 24

4-3- Friction Circle Method

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 25

 4-4- The Method of Slices - The Fellenius (or Swedish) Method
The resultant of the inter-slice forces = 0
E1=E2 & X1 = X2

𝑁 ′ = 𝑊 cos 𝛼 − 𝑢𝑙
𝑇 = 𝑊 sin 𝛼 a

σ 𝑐′. 𝑙 + 𝑁 ′ tan 𝜙′
𝐹𝑆 =
σ𝑇
σ 𝑐′. 𝑙 + σ (𝑊 cos 𝛼 − 𝑢𝑙) tan 𝜙′
𝐹𝑆 =
σ 𝑊 sin 𝛼
The factor of safety is usually underestimated by a range of 5–20% using this method
2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 26
Slice b h W=gbh a l=b/cos a u u.l c‘l W cos a W cos a - u.l (W cos a - u.l) tan f’ W sin a
1
2
3
4
…..
S

σ 𝑐′. 𝑙 + σ (𝑊 cos 𝛼 − 𝑢𝑙) tan 𝜙′

𝐹𝑆 =
σ 𝑊 sin 𝛼

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 27

 5-Stability
Charts

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 28

 Taylor
Stability
Chart
fu =0

Fc= cu/cd

Fc= c/cd
Ff= tan f/tan fd
2016-2017 29
f≠ 0:
1. Assume fd value ≤ f
2. Calculate Ff= tan f/ tan fd
3. Get cd from Taylor’s chart
4. Calculate Fc= c / cd
5. Draw the relationship between Ff & Fc
6. Draw 45 deg. line to get FS

f= 0:
1. If i < 53o, use left chart and the depth factor D to estimate cd
2. If i ≥ 53o, use right side – top curve to estimate cd
3. Calculate FS= cu / cd

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 30

 6-Useful
Information

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 31

 Soil Shear Strength
s1
Traxial Tests
UU/Clay 𝝉𝒇 = 𝒄𝒖 & 𝝓 𝒖 = 𝟎 CD or CID
CD/ Sand 𝝉𝒇 = 𝝈′ 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝝓′ CU or CIU s3
UU
s3 s3
CU/NC Clay 𝝉𝒇 = 𝝈′ 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝝓′
u
s3
𝝉𝒇 = 𝝈 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝝓
s1

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 32

Correlations (ECP – Part 3)

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 33

Correlations

(Terzaghi, Peck, and Mesri, 1996)

c‘=0.0245 s’p

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 34

Geometrical Information
𝜋
𝐴𝑟𝑐 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝐿𝑎 = 𝑅 𝜃 𝑜 O
180 q
R
𝜃 R b
𝐶ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝐿𝑐 = 2𝑅 sin
2
A1

𝑏𝐻 H A2
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴1 =
2
Lc
𝑅2 𝜋
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴2 = 𝜃 𝑜 − sin 𝜃 La
2 180

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 35

 Centers of Gravity
Center of Gravity of a Triangle Center of Gravity of a Circular Segment
(x1,y1) (x2,y2)
R

CG
CG
q 𝒙

𝑥1 + 𝑥2 + 𝑥3 R
𝑥ҧ =
3
(x3,y3) 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 + 𝑦3 4𝑅 sin 𝜃/2 3 𝐿3𝑐
𝑦ത = 𝑥= =
3 𝜋 12 𝐴𝑠𝑒𝑔𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
3 𝜃𝑜 − sin 𝜃
180
2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 36
 Pore water pressure under seepage condition

u = Dz gw
b
Hw
Dz

P
Dz = Hw cos2b
Dz

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 37

 Thank You

2016-2017 SLOPE STABILITY - LECTURE NOTES - DR. SAYED MOHAMED ELARABY 38