SCE5431 Earthwork Engineering

Tutorial 10

Q.1 Based on the data given in Figure and considering a 1-m width of the slope
section, determine:
Tension Crack

2m
Rock 4.0 m
anchors
for (ii)
20o
8.5 m
Assumed water
60o pressure diagram

35o
Planar
Discontinuity

Data:
Unit Weight of Rock Mass:  = 24 kN/m3
Discontinuity Shear Strength Parameters: Sj’ = 10 kN/m2; j’ = 25o

Figure: Vertical cross-section of a rock slope.

(i) The factor of safety against sliding of the rock block along the planar
discontinuity (without rock anchors).

(ii) If rock anchors are to be installed as shown, what would be the tension in
the rock anchors (force per metre section of wedge) required to increase
the factor safety of the rock slope to a value of 2?

1
(i)
L = (H – z) / sin δ = (8.5 - 4) / sin 35° = 7.85m
U = 0.5 γw Zw L = 0.5 x 9.81 x (4-2) x 7.85 = 76.96kN/m
V = 0.5 γw (Zw)2 = 0.5 x 9.81 x 22 = 19.62kN/m

For tension crack intercepts crest of slope,

W = 0.5 H2 {[1 - (Z / H) 2] cot δ – cot }
= 0.5 x 24 x 8.52 {[1- (4/8.5) 2] x cot 35° – cot 60°} = 463.4kN/m

Driving Force,
W sin δ + V cos δ= 463.4 x sin 35° + 19.62 x cos 35° = 281.9 kN/m

Resisting Force,
Sj L + (W cos δ – U - V sin δ) tan j
= 78.46 + (379.6 – 76.96 – 11.25) x 0.466
= 214.3kN/m

FOS = Resisting Force / Driving Force = 214.3 / 281.9 = 0.76

(ii) For rock anchors at = 20°,

Driving Force,
W sin δ + V cos δ - T sin 
= (281.9 – 0.342 T) kN/m

Resisting Force,
Sj L + (W cos δ – U - V sin δ + T cos) tan j
= 78.46 + (135.89 + 0.438T)
= (214.3 + 0.438T) kN/m

For FOS = 2,
2 = (214.3 + 0.438T) / (281.9 – 0.0.342 T)
563.8 – 0.684T = 214.3 + 0.438 T
1.122 T = 349.4
T = 311.4 kN/m
So tension required in the rock bolts = 311.4kN/m