Civil Engineering 2022/2023

Subject: Geotechnical Design (CSE40403)

Slope Stability

by Dr. Pei WANG

Office: ZS928
Email: peiwang@polyu.edu.hk
Main content:
1 Introduction
2 Factor of safety
3 Methods of slope stability analysis
4 LEM-based method of slices
5 Design of slope stability

2
1 Introduction

✓ The generally slow displacement of a mass of slope along a sliding surface.

✓ This surface has a depth that varies from the order of the meter to a few tens or even
a few hundred meters in exceptional cases.
✓ The landslide velocities remain variable but can reach a few decimetres a year.
✓ When there is a rupture/failure, the slope can slide very quickly, especially when
saturated with water.

Sliding distance
Sliding
surface

Time

3
 In summary

High & steep

Long & gentle

Stability analysis
✓ Factor of safety
✓ Failure surface
✓ Shear strength
✓ Equilibrium
13
2 Factor of safety

Expressed by Fs or FOS, defined for the Slope Stability Analysis

t undrained
❖ Total stress approach t f = cu

For clayey slopes or slopes with saturated sandy soils under

short-term loadings with the pore pressure not dissipated. s’n

❖ Effective stress approach

For long-term stability analysis in which drained conditions t

prevail.

For natural slopes and slopes in residual soils, where a

significant rainfall may occur over a long period (like in HK). s’n

14
2 Factor of safety
Three FOS can be defined:

1. Moment equilibrium: generally used for the analysis of the rotational landslides.
Considering a circular slip surface, the factor of safety is defined:
Fsm = Mr/Md

Where Mr is the sum of the resisting moments (against rotation)

Md is the sum of the driving moments (overturning)

2. Force equilibrium: generally applied to translational or rotational failures

composed of plane or polygonal slip surfaces
Fsf = Fr/Fd

Where Fr is the sum of the resisting forces

Fd is the sum of the driving forces

3. Shear strength: the actual shear stress mobilized along the failure surface against
the ultimate shear strength as:
tm =tf/Fst with tf = c’+σ’n tanϕ’ or tf = cu

15
2 Factor of safety
Mr = sum of resisting moments
Md = sum of driving moments
❖ Based on moment: Fsm = Mr/Md tf = ultimate shear strength
❖ Based on force: Fsf = Fr/Fd tm = mobilized shear stress
Fr = sum of the resisting forces
❖ Based on shear strength: Fst = tf/tm Fd = sum of the driving forces

Attention:
✓ Without external forces, these definitions are same. 3种 FOS ⼀样 ( 没有外⼒)
✓ With external forces, they are different.

For example, under an external supporting load:

❖ Active support: Fsm = Mr/(Md-Me) where Me=resisting moment from support
❖ Passive support: Fsm = (Mr+Me)/Md

Mr M + Me (If Mr = 3, Md = 2, Me = 1, Fs = ?)
− r
Md − Me Md
+ Active support is more commonly adopted,
=
(Me + Mr − Md ) Me > or < 0??? China code for hydraulic structures – adopt passive
(Md − Me ) Md support concept.
不确定 16
2 Factor of safety Exercise
Force against sliding
Example 1: Estimate the factor of safety (1) Fsf =
Ca Force of sliding
using three definitions of FOS? V
=
τsL
Wos (24 β )
O Rcos(a+b)
Cah/os (α+β )
Rotation center =

当 zh [tan(2+β) tanβ] os (α+β)

=

R htanb -

htan(a+b)

料
W
tf h
b a : Shear Strength
(2) Fsτ =
Shear stress
Cr
⼆
WCos ( a+β)
Unit weight: g h/coscat β )
l
Undrained shear strength: cu
Moment against rotation
W= Ih [ htan ( 2+β) htan β J γ (3) Fsm =
Moment of overturning
-

{ γ h [tan(a +β) tanB ]

ulRiatp
)
-
⼆
=

WRoS
⼆
Cul
17
WoS (a+β )
2 Factor of safety
Force against sliding
Example 1: Estimate the factor of safety (1) Fsf =
Force of sliding
using three definitions of FOS?
t fl
Fs =
Rcos(a+b) W cos (a + b )
O
Rotation center cu h cos (a + b )
=
R htanb 1 2
g h  tan (a + b ) − tan ( b )  cos (a + b )
htan(a+b) 2
2c 1
= u
W g h  tan (a + b ) − tan ( b )  cos 2 (a + b )
tf h
b a
Shear Strength
(2) Fsτ =
Shear stress
tf t fl
Fs = =
Unit weight: g W cos (a + b ) l W cos (a + b )
Undrained shear strength: cu
Moment against rotation
1 (3) Fsm =
W= h  h tan (a + b ) − h tan ( b )  g Moment of overturning
2 
1 t f lR t fl
= g h 2  tan (a + b ) − tan ( b )  Fs = =
2 WR cos (a + b ) W cos (a + b )
19
2 Factor of safety

Example 2: Estimate the factor of safety?

by the forces of strength resistance
x = resistant along the rupture circus
O
q R Moment against 𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
C B 𝑭𝒔 =
Moment of overturning
R
W
h by forces of overturning = Weight
tf of soil limited by the rupture circus
A = UR . R
θ

W⼒
Unit weight: g
3

⼆
CU θ R
Undrained shear strength: cu W⼒

This is the simplest of the circular arc methods of analysis. Failure is assumed to occur by
rotation of a rigid block of soil on a cylindrical failure surface along which the undrained
shear strength of the soil cu is mobilized. [known as Fellenius Method]

18
2 Factor of safety

Example 2: Estimate the factor of safety?

x
1) Length of arc: L = Rq
O
q R 2) The tm is average mobilized shear stress along
C B L, so T = tmL = (cu/Fs)Rq
R
W 3) Restoring moment: TR
h
tf 4) Overturning moment: Wx

A 5) Since Wx = TR , hence Fs = (cuR2q)/(Wx)

Alternatively,
tfLR = cuLR = cuR2q
Moment 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
𝑭𝒔 =
Moment of overturning
Wx

19
2 Factor of safety

Estimate the factor of safety Moment against 𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 cuR2 q

𝑭𝒔 = =
x
Moment of overturning Wx
O

!
q R
C B O =W3x3-W1x1-W2x2
R O
W
h 2
tf B
C C
1
A
O
Unit weight: g
Undrained shear strength: cu
A
3 B
Different position of O gives different arcs

20
In summary

Two approaches of Slope Stability Analysis:

total stress approach, effective stress approach

Three factors of safety:

✓ Based on moment: Fsm = Mr/Md
✓ Based on force: Fsf = Fr/Fd
✓ Based on shear strength: Fst = tf/tm

▪ Without external forces, these definitions are same.

▪ With external forces, they are different.

If there is external load:

✓ Active support
✓ Passive support

21
3 Methods of slope stability analysis
❖ Limit equilibrium method (LEM) – most common
❖ Limit analysis method (LAM) – energy balance
❖ Finite element/difference method (FEM/FDM)
❖ Distinct element/rigid element method – uncommon
❖ Slip-line method – uncommon
❖ Variational principle – uncommon

22
3 Methods of slope stability analysis Exercise

3.1 Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM)

❖ An “arbitrary” failure surface (or slices) is assumed
❖ Equilibrium (force/moment) is considered for the failing soil mass (or slices)薄⽚
❖ Stress equilibrium (mass and slices) is NOT necessarily considered

htan(b)
❑ Example 3a: Estimate FOS and the critical height
of a vertical cut by LEM (total stress approach) W

重
tf h
Relating to high & steep slopes b
τ fL
Fsf =
WOs β
, where W
2 Irhtan β
rfhlcosB
⼆

htanB CoS β
Undrained shear strength: cu
Unit weight: g

23
3 Methods of slope stability analysis
htan(b)

Wsin(b) 1
W = g h 2 tan ( b ) W
2 tf h
W
Wcos(b) b
Solution:
Step 1: for an arbitrary slip surface (b ), the general FOS is
t l = W cos ( b )
tf h 1
 = g h 2 tan ( b ) cos ( b )
Fs cos ( b ) 2 4cu hcr
2cu Fs = =
 Fs = b = 4
⎯⎯⎯ → gh h
g h tan ( b ) cos 2 ( b )

Step 2: “The critical height”corresponds to an “h” at FOS = 1 Step 3

2cu 4cu
2cu 2cu hcr = =
Fs = = 1  h = g tan ( 4 ) cos 2 ( 4 ) g
g h tan ( b ) cos 2 ( b ) g tan ( b ) cos 2 ( b )

“h” depends on “b ”, and it should exist a “b ” for a minimum value of “h”:

h −2cu cos ( 2 b ) 
= = 0  cos ( 2 b ) = 0  b =
b g sin ( b ) cos ( b )  2
4
  corresponds to a minimum FOS for general case
26
3 Methods of slope stability analysis

3.2 Limit analysis method (LAM) (e.g. MC, DP) (f = y)

❖ Assumptions: (a) Soils behavior is perfect/ideal plastic, (b) Yield surface is convex in
shape and plastic strains follow an associative flow rule (normality), (c) Changes in
geometry of soil mass at failure are insignificant; (E = )
❖ Two theorems: (a) Upper bound (unsafe) solution based on energy; (b) Lower bound
(safe) solution based on stress. The true solution in between.

(“movement or displacement happened and failure

occurred” are assumed, so unsafe assumption)

Unsafe theorem
An unsafe solution to the true collapse loads (for the ideal plastic material) can be
found by selecting any kinematically possible failure mechanism and performing
an appropriate work (or energy) calculation. The loads so determined are either
on the unsafe side or equal to the true collapse loads.
Referred as “Upper bound” theorem. The accuracy of the solution depends on
how close the assumed failure mechanism is to the real one.
24
3 Methods of slope stability analysis
htan(b)
❑ Example 3b: Estimate FOS and the critical height
W
of a vertical cut by Upper bound analysis
tf h
b
Solution:
Step 1: for an arbitrary slip surface, under a relative
displacement between the two rigid blocks u, Wsin(b)
1
the dissipation energy is W = g h 2 tan ( b )
2 W
c h Wcos(b)
E p = −t lu = − u u
Fs cos ( b )
work done by external (body) forces is
u
1 ucos(b)
Ew = Wu cos ( b ) = g h 2 tan ( b ) u cos ( b )
2 usin(b)
Step 2: equilibrium of work gives:
E p + Ew = 0
cu h 1
 u = g h 2 tan ( b ) u cos ( b )
Fs cos ( b ) 2
2cu
 Fs =
g h tan ( b ) cos 2 ( b ) The rest is same as the example 3a.
28
3 Methods of slope stability analysis

❑ Limit analysis method (LAM) (e.g. MC, DP) (f = y)

❖ Assumptions: (a) Soils behavior is perfect/ideal plastic, (b) Yield surface is convex in
shape and plastic strains follow an associative flow rule (normality), (c) Changes in
geometry of soil mass at failure are insignificant; (E = )
❖ Two theorems: (a) Upper bound (unsafe) solution based on energy; (b) Lower bound
(safe) solution based on stress. The true solution in between.

Safe theorem
If a statically admissible stress field covering the whole soil mass can be found,
which nowhere violates the yield condition, then the loads in equilibrium with the
stress field are on the safe side or equal to the true collapse loads.
Referred as “Lower bound” theorem. The accuracy of the solution depends on
how close the assumed stress field is to the real one.

26
3 Methods of slope stability analysis

↓
❑ Example 3c: Estimate FOS and the critical height
of a vertical cut by Lower bound analysis
h
Solution:
In stress field, to find an equilibrium distribution of
stress that balances the body stress (geostatic stress): σ
sz = g *z

cu sh =
sz = gh = 2
Fs K0*s’z+u
2c 2
lateralstress wefficient
 Fs = u
gh t
sz = gh
cu

Fs =1 2cu ∅
c /F
⎯⎯⎯
→ hcr =
u s

g Gn
^
0
sz sh sz s’n
=

LEM = Upper > Lower

27
3 Methods of slope stability analysis

3.3 Finite element method

✓ Element and mesh
✓ Boundary conditions
✓ Loading conditions
✓ Model of material

The constitutive model generally adopted:

Mohr-Coulomb model (c-f)

Using strength reduction method:

For the stability of slope under self-weight, a factor of safety on its strength parameters
will be calculated using Mohr-Coulomb model. In the strength reduction method (also
called as c’-f ’ reduction method), the safety factor is defined as follows:
c* = c’/SRF & (tanf’)*= (tanf’)/SRF (or f*= Arctan(tanf’/SRF))
This factor SRF is obtained when the finite element calculation reaches the latest
converged solution, just before slope failure, then we have the value FS = SRF.
28
3 Methods of slope stability analysis
Example using PLAXIS (a commercial finite element code)

Introduction of PLAXIS: https://www.bentley.com/en/products/brands/plaxis

To get a demo version: https://www.bentley.com/en/about-us/contact-us/sales-contact-request-m-plaxis
29
In summary
Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM)
✓ An “arbitrary” failure surface (or slices) is assumed
✓ Equilibrium (force/moment) is considered for the failing soil mass (or slices)
✓ Stress equilibrium (mass and slices) is NOT necessarily considered

Limit analysis method (LAM)

✓ Assumptions: (a) Soils behavior is perfect/ideal plastic, (b) Yield surface is
convex in shape and plastic strains follow an associative flow rule (normality),
(c) Changes in geometry of soil mass at failure are insignificant.
✓ Two theorems: (a) Upper bound (unsafe) solution based on energy; (b) Lower
bound (safe) solution based on stress. The true solution in between.
General remark:
A solution obtained using the limit equilibrium method is not necessarily an upper or
a lower bound. However, any upper-bound (energy based) limit analysis solution will
obviously be a limit equilibrium solution. (Don’t be confused:
same solution, but not same method!)
Finite element method (FEM)
✓ The constitutive model generally adopted: Mohr-Coulomb model (c-f)
✓ Using strength reduction method: c* = c/SRF & (tanf)*= (tanf )/SRF 30