8/24/2025

Applied Geotechnics
Part 5

Landfill Stabiliy

Professor Hadi Khabbaz

Email: [Link]@[Link]
CB11.11.224

OUTLINE

• Introduction to Landfills and Their Components

• Important Factors in Design of Landfills

• Geotechnical Failure

• Sliding Failure

• Circular Failure

• Graphical Method Using Taylor’s Charts

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Textbooks on Landfills

Townsend, Powell, Jain, Xu, Qian, Koerner and Gray

Tolaymat, and Reinhart (2015) (2002)

GEOENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING
Site Remediation, Waste
Containment, and Emerging Waste
Management Technologies
By: Sharma and Reddy
Hari D. Sharma, GeoSyntec Consultants - Walnut
Creek, California
Krishna R. Reddy, University of Illinois - Chicago, IL
ISBN: 978-0-471-21599-8
John Wiley ©2004

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Introduction to
Environmental
Engineering
4th Edition
M. L. Davis and D.A.
Cornwell
McGraw Hill company

Payatas Landfill in Philippines

(Courtesy of Scott Merry)

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Payatas Landfill in Philippines

(Courtesy of Scott Merry)

Payatas Landfill Slope Failure in July 2000

Payatas Dumpsite Manila Philippines in 2007

(Courtesy of Kounosu)

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The Payatas Controlled Disposal Facility in 2010

Landfill Components

➢ Bottom and lateral side liners system

➢ Leachate collection and removal system
➢ Gas collection and control system
➢ Final cover system
➢ Stormwater management system
➢ Groundwater management system
➢ Gas monitoring system

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Schematic Diagram of a MSW Landfill

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Double Liner and Leachate Collection System

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Landfill Construction

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[Link]

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Membrane liner

Natural rock foundation Leachate collection sump

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Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill

Minimum Permeability Coefficient in Leachate Collection System: 10 -4 m/s

GM
LCRS: K ≥ 10-4 m/s

Compacted Clay Liner:

K ≤ 10-9 m/s

Maximum Permeability Coefficient in Compacted Clay Liner: 10 -9 m/s

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Hazardous Waste Landfill

Minimum Permeability Coefficient in Leachate Collection System: 10 -4 m/s

Compacted Clay Liner:

K ≤ 10-9 m/s

Maximum Permeability Coefficient in Compacted Clay Liner: 10-9 m/s

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A Case Study: Crapo Hill Landfill

Active gas collection Leachate pipes

New cell and leachate storage

Landfill Gases:
1. Methane (CH4)
2. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Living near a landfill (not designed properly) could damage your health due to methane gas.

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Geomembranes and Geotextiles

?
?

Which colour represents the geomembrane?

What is the purpose of using geotextiles?
What is the objective behind employing sandbags?

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Conceptual Design of a Landfill

To be addressed in the preliminary design report:
➢ Landfill geometry and configuration
➢ Liner System
➢ Leachate collection and removal system
➢ Final cover system
➢ Surface drainage system
➢ Monitoring programs for site and groundwater conditions
➢ Gas collection system
➢ Final use of the landfill property

Taken from Sharma and Reddy 2004

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Landfill Construction

Major steps in design

➢ Landfill footprint layout
➢ Sub-base grading
➢ Cell layout and filling
➢ Temporary cover selection
➢ Final cover grading
➢ Final cover selection

21

Important Factors in Design

➢ Protect environment from waste and pollution
➢ Prevent groundwater contamination
* Landfill location with respect to water table
➢ Limit leachate
* Prevent water infiltration:
During construction and operation
After closure
➢ Prevent structural failure
* Failure of liners
* Failure of side slopes

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Landfill Envelope

Landfill Envelope Encapsulates the waste and isolates it

from surrounding environment.
Main Components are:
➢ Liner System
➢ Leachate collection and removal system
➢ Limit rainfall collection
➢ Gas collection and control system generation
➢ Final cover system

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Landfill Location

⚫ General: the site must be geologically, hydrologically &

environmentally suitable
⚫ Location with respect to water table
➢ Above ground landfill
* When water table is close to the ground level
* Little or no excavation
➢ Below and above ground landfill
* When water table is deep
* Depth of excavation depends on the depth of water table and
the natural clay layer

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Landfill Location
Geotechnical Considerations
➢ Soil conditions and topography
❖ Soil is required for the daily cover and the final cap cover
❖ Topography dictates the type of landfill and the extent of cover
➢ Faults areas
❖ Landfills must not be located close to an active fault
❖ A minimum of 60 m distance to faults is normally required
➢ Seismic impact zone
❖ Areas with >10% probability of horizontal acceleration of 0.1g in 250
years
❖ May result failure of side slopes in above ground landfills
➢ Unstable areas
❖ Poor foundation conditions or susceptible to mass movement

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Geotechnical Failure
▪ Slope Failure
Side slope failure
➢ Ground failure
➢ Waste failure
Sliding failure
➢ Lining failure during construction
➢ Cover failure after completion

▪ Settlement
➢ After construction
➢ Long time settlement

▪ Lining Crack

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Slope Stability
Sliding failure of lining and cover systems

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Slope Stability

Original Position

Moving Mass

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Slope Stability

Sliding failure occurred between the geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) and the
geomembrane.

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Slope Stability

Original
Position

Slumped
Mass

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[Link]

Source: [Link]

A massive 2013 landslide of sanitary landfill in Williams

Township, USA (the slope was too steep)

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Crown

Toe bulge Main scarp

Minor scarp

Toe

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Two-Dimensional Slope Stability Analysis

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Sliding Failure
• No water, effective stress analysis: b 
– Disturbing force:
T = W (sin ) = bdt (sin )
T
d
– Resisting force (at the onset of failure):
Tf = ?
N W
Failure criterion: f = c +  tan 
Tf =  f  dA
N =  dA = W (cos ) = bdt (cos ) Tf
C =  c.dA = c. b/cos 
Tf = C + N tan  N

– Factor of safety:
c′ tan ϕ′
F = Tf / T F= +
γt d sin α cos α tan α

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Sliding Failure
• Effect of water: b

Failure criterion: f = c′ + ′ tan ′
At the onset of failure:
T
Tf =  f  dA d
N′ =  ′dA = N - U
N W
U = w b dw cos 
N = t b d cos  dw
Tf
C =  c′.dA = c′. b/cos 
N’
Tf = C + N′ tan ′
T = W sin  = t b d sin  U
Tf c  + (  t d -  w dw ) cos2  tan 
F= =
T  t d sin  cos 

35

Sliding Failure
b
c  + (  t d -  w d w ) cos2  tan  
F=
 t d sin  cos 
T
• Special case, cohesionless soils: d

– With water:
N W
  d w  tan 
F = 1 − w 
  d  tan  dw
Tf
– Without water:
N
tan 
F=
tan  U
– For dry slopes the angle of repose is equal to f.

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Sliding Failure
Selection of Parameters:

➢ Sliding of clayey soil over sandy soil

Obtain 2 safety factors using properties of 2 soils separately and
use the minimum of the 2 safety factors.

➢ Sliding of soil over geomembrane

Use the strength parameters of geomembrane Adhesion
between soil and geomembrane: ca
Interface friction angle between soil and geomembrane: 
Failure criterion f = ca + ′ tan 

➢ During construction, the weight of the construction

equipment needs to be included.

37

Example 1
Consider a long slope with a uniform soil cover of 300 mm
thickness. The soil has a unit weight of 18 kN/m3, friction
angle of 35, and zero cohesion (i.e., it is sand). The cover
soil is placed directly on a geomembrane, which has an
interface friction angle of 25 and zero adhesion.

• What is the factor of safety against sliding failure

at a slope angle of 3(H)-to-1(V)?

• What is the factor of safety against sliding failure

if the soil is saturated?

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Use  here.
Why?

39

Conclusions for Example 1:

If the soil is not saturated, the slope is stable.

However, if the soil is saturated, for instance
due to leachate, the slope fails and slides
down from top of the membrane.

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Example 2
Consider a long slope with a uniform soil cover of 300
mm thickness. The soil has a unit weight of 18 kN/m3,
a friction angle of 0, and cohesion of 50 kPa (i.e., it is
clay). The cover soil is placed directly on a sand drain,
which has a friction angle of 30 and zero cohesion.

• What is the factor of safety against sliding failure

at a slope angle of 3(H)-to-1(V)?

41

In sand layer (drained condition):

tan 
F1 = = 3 tan 30 = 1.73 d
tan 

In clay layer (undrained condition):

Sand is more critical, with F = 1.73

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Sliding Failure
Given: As shown in the following figure
Find: The Factor of safety against sliding
Tension crack

H1
Clay

c  
H2
Drain
Sandstone 

43

General Solution

Pw1
W

H1 w
Pw2
Tf 
Uplift H2 w
A
H1 w B Uplift
AB = L / cos  H2 w

U = 0.5(H1 w + H2  w )( AB)

Tf C + N tan  c( AB) + ( W cos  − (Pw1 − Pw 2 ) sin  − U) tan 

F= = F=
T T W sin  + (Pw1 − Pw 2 ) cos 

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Example 3
Calculate the factor of safety against sliding in the following infinite slope
when the tension crack is full of water.

Tension crack

L = 20 m

14 m
Clay

C=18 kPa =30  =19 kN/m3

9m
Drain
Sandstone =12 o

45

L = 20 m

Pw1
W

14 w
=12 o Pw2
Tf
Uplift 9 w
A
14 w B Uplift

9 w

W = 20  14  19 = 5,320 kN pmr pmr: per metre run

Pw1 = 14 2   w / 2
Pw1 − Pw 2 = 563 .5 kN pmr
Pw 2 = 92   w / 2

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Tf C + N tan  c( AB) + ( W cos  − (Pw1 − Pw 2 ) sin  − U) tan 

F= = =
T T W sin  + (Pw1 − Pw 2 ) cos 

U = 0.5 w (14 + 9)( 20 / cos 12  ) = 2304 .4 kN pmr

18(20 / cos 12 ) + (5320 cos 12 − 563.5 sin 12 − 2304.4) tan 30 
F=
5320 sin 12 + 563.5 cos 12

1974.3
F= = 1.19
1657.3

F  1.2

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Circular Failure Mechanism

• A common mode of slope failure is a rotational slip

along an approximately circular failure surface.

Slope circle

Toe circle Base circle

Shallow failure Deep-seated failure

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Circular Slip

• Stability analysis:

49

𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠
𝐹=
Circular Slip 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠

f L R
F=
A failure mechanism W x + P s − Pw1d − Pw 2 b
with minimum F must 𝑏ത O s
be found. P
𝑑ҧ

Pw1
W
Pw2 R

L
f

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Circular Slip
• Undrained stability analysis:
O
 LR
x

F= f
Wx

𝜏𝑓 = 𝑐 + 𝜎𝑛 tan(𝜑)
W
R

L
f

51

Circular Slip
• Undrained stability analysis:
– Total stress analysis, u = 0:
Failure criterion: f = cu +  tan u = cu

Moment at the onset of failure = cu L R O

x

c u L R c u R2 
F= =
Wx Wx
R

W
𝐿 = 𝑅𝛼 R

 is in radians

L
f

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Example 4
A 12 m deep excavation in a clay, which has an undrained
shearing strength of cu = 40 kPa (u = 0) and a unit weight of
20 kN/m3.
(a) Calculate the area of the sliding section of the soil.
(b) Calculate the factor of safety of the slope against sliding.

Point of Rotation
100o

12m 20o

24m 6m
12m

7m W
Slip circle

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Point of Rotation
100o

12m 20o
24m
6m
12m

7m W
Slip circle

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L2 = 22.55m

30
L1 = 8.21m 70

R = 24m

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pmr

pmr

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A 6m-berm is excavated to increase the factor of safety, of

the slope. Calculate the factor of safety of the slope after the
berm is excavated.

Point of Rotation
100o

12m 20o
24m
6m
Berm
12m
6m

7m W
Slip circle

57

With a Berm
A b = 6  6 = 36 m 2

xb = 6 + 3 = 9 m

40205 40205
F= =
Wnet x net  t ( A t x t − A b x b )

40205
F= = 1.18  1
20(289  7 − 36  9)

But still is less than 1.3.

What do you suggest to increase the factor of safety?

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Strengthening of Soil Slope Using Two Berms

[Link]

59

QUIZ 1
Based on a total stress analysis, in which case, the factor of safety
against the slope failure would be the least? Why?
(Assume other design parameters are the same.)

a. cu = 35 kPa,  = 20 kN/m3
b. cu = 35 kPa,  = 18 kN/m3
c. cu = 30 kPa,  = 20 kN/m3
d. cu = 30 kPa,  = 18 kN/m3
e. Information is not enough to compare these cases.

c uR  c uR 
2 2
c u, 
F= =
Wx A t x
Slip circle
(c) is the correct answer.

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QUIZ 2
A circular base slide is considered
in clayey soil consisting of two Point of rotation P1 P2
layers (the top clay layer and the (Centre of circle)
O X d1 d2
bottom clay layer). 

R   Top clay: cu1

Assume the values of variables
shown on the figure are given.
The total weight of the sliding W
Top clay
section is W and the distance
between the centre of mass to the dw Bottom clay: cu2
point of rotation is X.

Accordingly, provide a proper

formula for the factor of safety of Cross Section of a Circular Base Slide
Not to Scale
this slope against sliding in the
undrained condition (u = 0).
c u R  + c u R ( 1 +  2 )
2 2

F=
3
1 2

Wx + P1( x + d1 )

61

Method of Slices
• A generalized method that may be used for:
➢ Total or effective stress analyses with  ≠ 0;
➢ Any geometry or loading;
➢ Any pore pressure state;
i
➢ Any soil or rock layering.

62

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Method of Slices

• A generalized method that may be used for:

– Total or effective stress analyses with  ≠ 0;
– Any geometry or loading;
i
– Any pore pressure state;
– Any soil or rock layering.

63

Method of Slices x

i bi
• Forces on a slice: R
W
➢ Statically indeterminate; Xi
• Ordinary slices or Swedish method
Ei+1 Ui+1
(solutions are based on simplified
Ui Ei Xi+1
assumptions)
• Simplified Bishop’s method Li
• Bishop’s method; Tf
• Morgenstern-Price method
Ni
Swedish method assumption:
Resultant of inter-slice forces is
Ubi
perpendicular to N:
Li = Arc length of slice base
(Ei - Ei+1) tan i = (Xi - Xi+1) x = R sin

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Swedish Method of Slices

Resisting moment of slice i = R ([Link] + [Link]  . tan )
Disturbing moment of slice i = [Link] 
Total resisting moments =  R ([Link] + [Link]  .tan )

Total
i disturbing moment =  [Link] 

Total resisting moments

F=
Total disturbing moments i

 (c.L i + Wi cos . tan )

F= i =1
n

 W . sin 
i =1
i i

65

Swedish Method of Slices

n

 (c .Lu i + Wi cos  i . tan u )

⚫ Total stress analysis: F= i =1
n

 W . sin 
i =1
i i

 (c'.L + (W cos 
i i i − Ui ) tan ')
⚫ Effective stress analysis: F= i =1
n

 W . sin  i i
where: Ui = ui . Li i =1

66

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Swedish Method of Slices

⚫ Factor of safety:
➢ The minimum factor of safety is obtained by considering a
range of failure surface with different centres and radii.
❖ No simple way, trial and error
➢ The minimum factor of safety shall be 1.3, often used 1.5.
1.5 1.35
1.4
1.5
1.5
1.6

67

Swedish Method of Slices

• Factor of safety depends on:
❖ Confidence on soil strength value
❖ Stability analysis method
❖ Consequence of failure

1.35

68

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Example 5: on Method of Slices

The embankment in the figure has the following properties:
′ = 30 and c′ = 8 kPa, t = 19 kN/m3
Water table is far below the ground surface.
Determine the factor of safety for the slip circle shown in the figure in the
drained condition, using the method of slices.
(H = 8.6 m, L = 8.3 m, R = 9.5 m and  = 98)
Slice b (m)  l (m) h (m) W (kN) T (kN) N (kN) c.l (kN)
1 3.5 -5.9 3.52 1.1
2 3.5 14.5 3.62 2.5
3 3.5 31.3 4.10 3.3
4 3.5 45.7 5.01 2.2

69

Solution: Method of Slices

Slice b (m)  l (m) h (m) W (kN) T (kN) N (kN) c.l (kN)
1 3.5 -5.9 3.52 1.1 73.15 -7.51927 72.76251 28.16
2 3.5 14.5 3.62 2.5 166.25 41.62568 160.9545 28.96
3 3.5 31.3 4.10 3.3 219.45 114.0085 187.511 32.8
4 3.5 45.7 5.01 2.2 146.3 104.7058 102.1782 40.08
Total: 16.25 252.8207 523.4062 130

W = b h t
T = W sin 
N = W cos 

 (c l i i + Ni tan )
F= i =1
n

T i =1
i

130 + 523.4  tan30

F= = 1.71
252.82
F = 1.71

70

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Graphical Methods
• A number of chart-based solutions exist for simple
geometries.
• For undrained (total stress) analysis of slopes charts
produced by Taylor are often used.
➢ The charts are based on the analysis of circular failure surfaces, and
assume that soil strength is given by a Mohr-Coulomb analysis.
➢ Tension cracks are not considered.
➢ The charts can be used for drained (effective stress) analysis of dry
slopes.
• The stability of homogeneous slopes is a function of:
➢ Slope Geometry;
➢ “Stability Number”.

71

Stability Number
• The factor of safety for undrained frictionless slopes is a
function of:
– Undrained cohesion, cu; c
F u
– Inverse of slope height, H; H
– Inverse of unit weight of soil, . cu
N=
• A dimensionless number is defined as:  HF
Slopes of similar stability number and similar geometry
have the same safety factor.

H1 i1= i2 H2
i1 i2
N1=N2 c2 , 2
c1 , 1 F1=F2

72

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0.25

0.20 Taylor’s
 = 0o, D=∞
Chart 1
Stability number, c/HF

0.15

0.10

0.05

H DH

0.00
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Slope angle (degree)
73

Taylor’s Charts
⚫ Case 1: The most dangerous of the circles passing through the
toe, represented by full lines in chart. Where full lines do not
appear, this case is not appreciably different from case 2.

⚫ Case 2: Critical circles passing below the toe, represented by

long dashed lines in chart. Where long dashed lines do not
appear, the critical circle passes through the toe.

⚫ Case 3: Surface of ledge or a strong stratum at the elevation of

the toe (D=1), represented by short dashed lines in chart.

74

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0.19
53o Slope angle
0.18

0.17 Taylor’s

Stability number, c/HF

0.16 Chart 2
0.15
=0
0.14

0.13

0.12 nH H
DH

0.11

0.10 H
DH

0.09
1 2 3 4
Depth factor, D
75

0.19
53o Slope angle
0.18

0.17 Taylor’s
Stability number, c/HF

0.16 Chart 2
0.15
=0
0.14

0.13
nH H
0.12 DH

0.11
H
DH
0.10

0.09
1 2 3 4
Depth factor, D
76

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Example 6

Find the safety factor of the slope given below:

6m t = 20 kN/m3
cu = 25 kPa
60o
u = 10o

77

0.25

0.20 Taylor’s
 = 0o, D=∞
Chart 1
Stability number, c/HF

0.15
N  0.14

0.10

0.05

0.00
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Slope angle (degree)
78

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(a) Using Chart 1: N  0.14

c 25
F= = = 1.49  1.5 OK
HN 20  6  0.14

Type of Failure: Toe Failure

79

Example 7
Find the safety factor of the slope given below:
Check for D = 1 and D = 2.

H = 8m t = 20 kN/m3
DH cu = 36 kPa
30o
u = 0o

80

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0.25

0.20 Taylor’s
 = 0o, D=∞
Chart 1
Stability number, c/HF

0.15
N  0.132

0.10

0.05

0.00
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Slope angle (degree)
81

0.19
53o Slope angle
0.18

0.17 Taylor’s
Stability number, c/HF

0.16
Chart 2
0.15
=0
0.14

N  0.132
0.13

0.12 nH nH H H
DH DH

0.11

0.10 H H
DH DH

0.09
1 2 3 4
Depth factor, D
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H = 8m, D = 1, Using Chart 1: N = 0.132

 = 0, Using Chart 2: N = 0.132 n<0

c 36
F= = = 1 .7 OK
HN 20  8  0.132

83

0.19
53o Slope angle
0.18

N = 0.172 0.17 Taylor’s

n = 1.3
Stability number, c/HF

0.16
Chart 2
0.15
=0
0.14

0.13

0.12 nH nH H H
DH DH
0.11

0.10 H H
DH DH

0.09
1 2 3 4
Depth factor, D
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Chart 1: cannot be used

u = 0, Using Chart 2: N = 0.172 n  1.3

36
F= = 1.31
20  8  0.172

nH = 1.3  8 = 10.4 m

Unsafe zone for building

construction
10.4 m
30

85

Chart 1
Stability Number (N)

Slope Angle (degree)

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N = 0.181 Chart 2
This Chart is for
slopes < 53 and  = 0

For slopes > 53 and  = 0,

use Chart 1 with Zone A
(toe failure).
Stability Number (N)

Depth Factor (D)

87

Example 8
It is proposed to stabilise a highway cutting using a series of
piles which are closely spaced and designed strong enough so
as to prevent any failure surface to intersect them. The clay
has a cohesion cu = 20 kPa and unit weight of 18 kN/m3.
Assume no frictional shear resistance can be developed in the
clay (u = 0o). Based on Taylor’s charts:

(a) Determine the factor of safety with respect to cohesion for

the slope shown in the figure, and indicate where
approximately the failure surface intersects the ground at the
base of the excavation.

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(a) Determine the factor of safety of the slope shown in the

figure, and indicate where approximately the failure surface
intersects the ground at the base of the excavation.

30o

Highway cutting
6m nH

Clay
6m Clay

Bedrock

89

Solution: 8(a)

(a) Slope of excavation = 30;

H = 6m, DH = 12m
N

D = 2 ➔ (Use Chart 2) N = 0.172;

cu = 20 kPa,  = 18 kN/m3

c 20 D

N= F= = 1.08 
HF (18)(6)(0.172)
n  1.4  nH = 1.4  6 = 8.4 m 

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(b) Determine the safety factor of the slope with piles at

location A as shown in the following figure.

30o

Highway cutting
6m
A

Clay
6m Clay Piles

Bedrock

91

Solution: 8(b)

(b) Slope of excavation = 30;

H = 6m;  = 0; N

Use Chart 1 (Toe Failure) solid lines ➔

N = 0.157
cu = 20 kPa;  = 18 kN/m3

Slope

c 20
N= F= = 1.18 
HF (18)(6)(0.157 )

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(c) The piles be more effective if located further up the

slope at location B, as shown in the following figure.
Determine the height hB, necessary to produce a factor of
safety of 1.5.

30o

Highway cutting
6m
hB B

Clay
6m Clay Piles

Bedrock

93

Solution: 8(c)

(c) Use Chart 1 (Toe Failure) solid lines

F = 1.5 and N = 0.157 (the same value)
Slope of excavation = 30; H = 6 – hB (m)
cu = 20 kPa;  = 18 kN/m3

c c 20
N= H= = = 4.7 m 
HF FN (18)(1.5)(0.157)

hB = 6 − 4.7 = 1.3m 

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Solution: 3(c)

30o

hB = 1.3 m
6m B
hB
LB Shallow Slip
Failure
6m
Piles

Bedrock

Position of the piles: 1.3

LB = = 2.25m
tan 30 o

95

Important Factors
➢ Interface shear strength between various geosynthetics,
geomembranes, soil and solid waste layers
➢ Pore pressures acting on liner
➢ Excavated side height and slope
➢ Groundwater level
➢ Waste filling height and slope
• For waste failure the strength properties of waste can be used in
slope stability analysis.
• Difficult to determine as the friction angle varies between 25
and 55

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Effect of Water
• Frictional Soils (Sand)
– Below water table, buoyancy reduces shearing resistance.
• Cohesive Soils (Clay)
– Cohesive strength decreases as moisture content increases.

• Fills on clay
– Soil consolidates as water is squeezed out - factor of safety
increases with time, short term critical.
• Cuts in clay
– Soil absorbs water when overburden pressure removed -
factor of safety decreases with time, long term critical.

97

Software Packages for

Slope Stability Analysis

Slope/W
[Link]

Slope Stability Analysis Calculator

by Calc-Forge
[Link]

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Free Slope Stability Calculator

[Link]

99

Summary
1. Translational (Sliding) Failure

2. Rotational (Circular) Failure Slope circle

▪ Face Failure Toe circle

▪ Toe (Slope) Failure Base circle

▪ Base Failure

Swedish Method

3. Graphical methods (Taylor’s Charts)

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Thank You for Your

Attention
Any Questions?

101

Slope Stability Analysis Using Slope/W

Is GeoStudio free?
Student Edition. GeoStudio Student Edition is a limited
feature bundled license that is available for free.

What is the latest version of GeoStudio? GeoStudio 2023.1

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Slope Stability Analysis Using Slope/W

GeoStudio 2018: SLOPE/W Tutorial - YouTube

SLOPE/W is the leading slope stability software for soil and rock slopes, analyzing both
simple and complex problems for a variety of slip surface shapes, pore-water pressure
conditions, soil properties, and loading conditions.

[Link]

103

Glossary

➢ Clean Fill: Material without any harmful effects on the environment and
which consists of rocks or soil from the excavation of undisturbed
material.
➢ Municipal Solid Waste Landfills: Household wastes (putrescible wastes)
as well as other domestic wastes.
➢ Co-disposed Landfills: The deposition of both municipal solid wastes
(MSW) and industrial wastes at the same site.
➢ Managed landfills: Clean fills, construction and demolition with light
contaminants.
➢ Hazardous Wastes: Wastes containing the characteristics, including
explosive, flammable liquids/solids, poisonous, toxic, and eco-toxic.

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Glossary (cont’d)
➢ Inert Wastes: Wastes which are non-biodegradable, not-flammable
and not chemically reactive.
➢ Inert Waste Type 1: Non-hazardous, non-biodegradable wastes
with contaminant concentrations less than Class I landfill
acceptance criteria.
➢ Inert Waste Type 2: Waste containing stable non-biodegradable
organic materials such as tyres and plastics with special
consideration to reduce the potential for fires.
➢ Inert Waste Type 3: Waste material with the Department of
Environment and Conservation (DEC) license approval and the
specified inert landfill.

105

Glossary (cont’d)

➢ Mono-fills and Mono-cells: Industrial and hazardous wastes that

cannot be deposited within MSW or co-disposed in landfills.
➢ Special Waste Type 1 (Asbestos): Asbestos and asbestos cement
products.
➢ Special Waste Type 2 (Biomedical): Waste consisting of certain types
of biomedical waste which are considered as hazardous waste.
➢ Intractable Waste: Waste with toxicity or chemical or physical
characteristics which make it difficult to dispose of or treat safely.
➢ Industrial Landfills: Landfills that accepts specified industrial wastes.
In most cases industrial waste landfills are mono-fills associated with
a specific industry or facility.

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%% Fellenius Slope Stability

clc; clear; close all;
% ----------------------------- Inputs --------------------
xc = 0; % centre x of trial circle (m)
yc = 8; % centre y of trial circle (m)
r = 10; % radius of trial circle (m)
xB = 0; % toe x (m)
yB = 0; % toe y (m)
h = 6; % slope height (m)
beta_deg = 50; % slope angle (deg)
phi_deg = 28; % friction angle (deg)
c = 5; % cohesion (kPa)
uw = 18; % unit weight (kN/m^3)
N = 50; % number of vertical slices
% ------------------------- Pre-computations ---------
beta = deg2rad(beta_deg);
phi = deg2rad(phi_deg);

107

--------------------- Inputs -------------------------

Number of slices = 50
Radius of trial circle (m) = 10
Trial circle centre: Xc (m) = 0; Yc (m) = 8
---------------------- Outputs ---------------------
Slope height (m) = 6
Factor of Safety (Fellenius) = 1.523
Slope angle (deg) = 50
--------------------------------------------------------
Soil friction angle (deg) = 28
Soil cohesion (kPa) = 5
Soil unit weight (kN/m^3) = 18
--------------------------------------------------------

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109

--------------------- Inputs -------------------------

Number of slices = 20
Radius of trial circle (m) = 10
Trial circle centre: Xc (m) = 0; Yc (m) = 8
---------------------- Output ---------------------
Slope height (m) = 6
Factor of Safety (Fellenius) = 1.530
Slope angle (deg) = 50
--------------------------------------------------------
Soil friction angle (deg) = 28
Soil cohesion (kPa) = 5
Soil unit weight (kN/m^3) = 18
--------------------------------------------------------

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%% Fellenius Slope Stability

clc; clear; close all;
% ----------------------------- Inputs --------------------------------
xc = 0; % centre x of trial circle (m)
yc = 8; % centre y of trial circle (m)
r = 10; % radius of trial circle (m)
xB = 0; % toe x (m)
yB = 0; % toe y (m)
h = 6; % slope height (m)
beta_deg = 50; % slope angle (deg)
phi_deg = 28; % friction angle (deg)
c = 5; % cohesion (kPa)
uw = 18; % unit weight (kN/m^3)
N = 50; % number of vertical slices
% ------------------------- Pre-computations ----------------------
beta = deg2rad(beta_deg);
phi = deg2rad(phi_deg);

% Horizontal extent from toe to crest

slope_x = h / tan(beta);
% Entry/exit geometry (sanity checks)
yA = yB;
xA = xc - sqrt(max(r^2 - yc^2, 0));
xC = slope_x; yC = h;
yD = yC;
xD = xc + sqrt(max(r^2 - (yD - yc).^2, 0));
if xA > xB
disp('Note: Increase the radius of the failure circle and re-calculate the factor of safety.');
return
end
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