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I. Topic Lesson 4: Slope Stability Analysis
II. Lesson Outline
a. Slope Stability
b. Modes of Failure
c. Types of Slope
• Infinite Slopes
• Finite Slopes
d. Analysis of Slope Stability
III. Introduction
UNRESTRAINED SLOPE is an exposed ground surface that stands at an angle with the
horizontal. The slope can be natural, slopes that exist in hilly areas or man-made, slopes of
embankments constructed for roads railway lines, canals etc.
Civil engineers often are expected to make calculations to check the safety of natural slopes,
slopes of excavations and compacted embankments. This check involves determining the shear
stress developed along the most likely rupture surface and comparing it with the shear stress
developed along the most likely rupture surface and comparing it with the shear strength of soil.
The process is called slope STABILITY ANALYSIS. The most likely rupture surface is the
critical surface that has the minimum factor of safety. Slope stability refers to the condition of
inclined soil or rock slopes to withstand or undergo movement. Slope stability is ultimately
determined by two factors: the angle of the slope and the strength of the materials on it.
This lesson discusses the basic principles involved in slope stability analysis.
IV. Objectives: At the end of the chapter, the student should be able to:
(a) Discuss the factors affecting the slope stability
(b) Learn different terms and notations involve in slope stability analysis.
(c) Differentiate and explain finite and infinite slope
(d) Know and understand the different equations involve in solving the slope stability of
given soil
(e) Incorporate equations in calculating the factor of safety of given slope
(f) Calculate correctly the values involve in the stability analysis of soil.
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V. Discussions
MODES OF SLOPE FAILURE:
Cruden and Varnes (1996) classified the slope failures into the following:
1. Fall. This is the detachment of soil and/or rock fragments that fall down a slope
2. Topple. This is a forward rotation of soil and/or rock mass about an axis below the center of gravity
of mass being displaced
3. Slide. This is the downward movement of a soil mass occurring on a surface of rupture
4. Spread. This is a form of slide by translation. It occurs by “sudden movement of water-bearing
seams of sands or silts overlain by clays or loaded by fills”
5. Flow. This is a downward movement of soil mass similar to a viscous fluid.
TYPES OF SLOPE:
1. INFINITE SLOPES – It is used to designate a constant slope of infinite extent.
Example: The long slope of the face of a mountain
2. FINITE SLOPES - Slopes that are limited in extent.
Example: The slopes of embankments and earth dams
Terms and notations:
F.s = factor of safety against sliding on the rock surface
H = height of soil above the interface of rock and soil
Β = angle that the slope makes with the horizontal
Φ = angle of friction of soil
𝛷𝑑 = the angle of friction that develops along the potential failure surface
c = cohesion
𝑐𝑑 = cohesion that develops along the potential failure surface
𝛿𝑠𝑎𝑡 = saturated unit weight of soil
𝛿𝑠 = unit weight of soil above rock
H = height of soil above the interface of rock and soil
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FOR INFINITE SLOPE:
FACTOR OF SAFETY AGAINST SLIDING
FOR CLAY
❖ No pore water pressure is found on the soil
c tanΦ
F. S. = +
δHcos²βtanβ tanβ
❖ When there is seepage on the soil due to to the ground
water level which coincides with the ground surface.
c (δsat − δw)tanΦ
F. S. = +
(δsat)Hcos²βtanβ (δsat)tanβ
FOR SAND
❖ Factor of safety without seepage
tanΦ
F. S. =
tanβ
❖ Factor of safety when there is partial seepage
Hδw tanΦ
F. S. = [1 − ]
(δsat)H tanβ
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❖ Factor of safety when subjected to full seepage
δsub tanΦ
F. S. = [ ]
δsat tanβ
MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF THE SLOPE FOR WHICH CRITICAL EQUILIBRIUM OCCURS
c
Hcr =
(δ)cos²β(tanβ − tanΦ)
FACTOR OF SAFETY
FACTOR OF SAFETY When: FSc = FSΦ
c + σtanΦ c tanΦ
F. S. = =
cd + σtanΦ𝑑 c𝑑 tanΦ𝑑
c tanΦ
FS𝑐 = FS𝛷 = F. S. = FS𝑐 = FS𝛷
c𝑑 tanΦ𝑑
Where:
• FSc = factor of safety with respect to cohesion
• FSΦ = factor of safety with respect to friction
• cd= cohesion that develops along the potential failure surface
• Φd = the angle of friction that develops along the potential failure
surface
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ANALYSIS OF FINITE SLOPE WITH PLANE FAILURE SURFACE (CULMAN’S METHOD)
Culman’s analysis is based on the assumption that the failure of a slope occurs along a plane when
the average shearing stress tending to cause the slip is more than the shear strength of the soil. Also, the
most critical plane is the one that has a minimum ratio of the average shearing stress that tends to cause
failure to the shear strength of soil.
F1 + F2 Where FSc = FS = FSΦ
F. S. =
W2 c c c
FS𝑐 = FS = FS𝑐 =
F1 = μW1 c𝑑 c𝑑 c𝑑
W1 = Wcosϴ tanΦ tanΦ
FS𝛷 = FS =
W2 = Wsinϴ tanΦ𝑑 tanΦ𝑑
tanΦ δsH[1 − cos(β − Φ𝑑)]
F2 = c𝑑 tanΦ𝑑 = c𝑑 =
F. S. 4 sinβ cosΦ𝑑
xH
W= δs
2
MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF THE SLOPE FOR WHICH CRITICAL EQUILBRIUM OCCURS
4c sinβ cosΦ
Hcr = [ ]
δs 1 − cos(β − Φ)
4c𝑑 sinβcosΦ
Ho = [ ]
δs 1 − cos(β − Φ𝑑)
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MODES OF FAILURE OF FINITE SLOPE
1. When the failure occurs in such a way that the surface of sliding intersects the slope at or above its
toe, it is called a slope failure. The failure circle is referred to as a toe circle if it passes through the
toe of the slope and as a slope circle if it passes above the toe of the slope. Under certain
circumstances, a shallow slope failure can occur.
2. When the failure occurs in such a way that the surface of sliding passes at some distance below the
toe of the slope, it is called a base failure. The failure circle in the case of base failure is called a
midpoint circle.
Stability Analysis Procedures:
1. MASS PROCEDURE: In this case, the mass of the soil above the surface of sliding is taken as a
unit. This procedure is useful when the soil that forms the slope is assumed to be homogeneous,
although this is not the case in most natural slopes.
2. METHOD OF SLICES: In this procedure, the soil above the surface of sliding is divided into a
number of vertical parallel slices. The stability of each slice is calculated separately. This is a
versatile technique in which the non-homogeneity of the soils and pore water pressure can be taken
into consideration. It also accounts for the variation of the normal stress along the potential failure
surface.
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SLOPE STABILITY NUMBER
Cd
n=
δsH
n = stability number
1 δsH
= (stability factor)
n C𝑑
CRITICAL HEIGHT OF SLOPE
When: F.S. =1 and cd = cu
cu
Hcr =
(δs)n
𝑐𝑢 = undrained shear strength
𝛿𝑠 = unit weight of soil
n = stability number
𝐻𝑐r = critical height of slope
FOR CRITICAL EQUILIBRIUM
FS𝑐 = FS𝛷 = F. S.
𝑐𝑑 = 𝑐
𝐻 = 𝐻𝑐𝑟
c
H𝑐𝑟 =
δs(n)
Factor of safety with respect to cohesion
c
FS𝑐 =
c𝑑
Factor of safety with respect to friction
tanΦ
FS𝛷 =
tanΦ𝑑
[Sources: Das. Principles of Geotechnical Engineering and Besavilla Geotechnical Reviewer]
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PROBLEM1: The figure shows an infinite slope, the shear strength parameters at the interface of soil and
rock are as follows:
Angle of friction = 24º
Cohesion of soil = 16Kpa
Unit weight of soil = 16.50 KN/m3
H=6m Saturated Unit weight of soil = 19.40 KN/m3
β = 20º
1. Determine the factor of safety for following cases:
a) no water pressure
b) There is seepage through the soil and that the groundwater level coincides with the ground
surface.
2. Determine the height if the factor of safety has a value of 1.0 and the angle that the slope makes
with the horizontal is equal to 30º
SOLUTION:
(1-a) F.S. against sliding when no water pressure
c tanΦ
F. S. = +
δHcos²βtanβ tanβ
16 tan24 H=6m
F. S. = +
(16.5)(6)cos²(20)tan (20) tan20
𝐅. 𝐒. = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟐𝟔 β = 20º
(1-b) F.S. against sliding when there is a water seepage
c (δsat − δw)tanΦ
F. S. = +
(δsat)Hcos²βtanβ (δsat)tanβ
16 (19.4 − 9.81)tan24 H=6m
F. S. = +
(19.4)(6)cos²(20)tan (20) (19.4)tan20
𝐅. 𝐒. = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟑𝟐 β = 20º
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(2) Height of soil if F.S is equals to 1.0: H= Hcr
c (δsat − δw)tanΦ
FS = +
(δsat)(H)cos²βtanβ (δsat)tanβ
16 (19.4 − 9.81)tan24
1.0 = +
(19.4)(H)cos²(30)tan (30) (19.4)tan30
1.90466
1.0 = + 0.38121
H
𝑯 = 𝟑. 𝟎𝟕𝟖 𝒎
PROBLEM 2: An infinite slope of granular soil is shown in the figure with the given properties;
➢ Saturated unit weight = 18KN/m3
➢ Effective cohesion = 42Kpa.
➢ Slope angle β=21º
➢ Effective friction angel = 32º
H=6m
β = 21º
a) Determine the factor of safety if no seepage will occur;
b) Determine the factor of safety if slope is subjected to partial seepage parallel to the slope with water
at a depth of 4m above the rock.
c) Determine the factor of safety if subjected to full seepage parallel to the slope;
SOLUTION:
(a) F.S. if no seepage
tanΦ
F. S. =
tanβ
tan32
F. S. =
tan21
𝐅. 𝐒. = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟐𝟖
(b) F.S. if partial seepage
Hδw tanΦ
F. S. = [1 − ]
(δsat)H tanβ
4(9.81) tan32
F. S. = [1 − ]
(18)(6) tan21
𝐅. 𝐒. = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟗𝟐𝟖
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(c) F.S. if full seepage
δsat − δw tanΦ
F. S. = [ ]
δsat tanβ
18 − 9.81 tan32
F. S. = [ ]
18 tan21
𝐅. 𝐒. = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟒𝟏
PROBLEM 3: The cut slope shown in the figure shall be constructed in soft clay soil, rising at an angle of
70º to the horizontal. The soil has a unit weight of 17KN / m3 and shear strength of 28 KN / m2. The
maximum depth to which the excavation can be carried out is 8.22 m. The critical circle at A is tangent to
the horizontal axis.
(a) Calculate the stability of the number
(b) Calculate the angle of the failure plane with the horizontal plane.
(c) Determine the radius of the circle of the toe
B 6.78 m C
Failure plane Hcr=8.22m
A
70º θ
SOLUTION:
R
θ
θ
R B 6.78 m C
Failure Hcr=8.22m
plane
A
70º θ
X1
X2
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(a) Stability number
Cu
Hcr =
δs(n)
28
8.22 =
17(n)
𝐧 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟎𝟎
(b) Angle of the failure plane with the horizontal plane
Hcr
tan70 =
x1
X1 = 2.992
X2 = 2.992 + 6.78 = 9.772
Hcr
tanθ =
X2
8.22
tanθ =
9.772
𝛉 = 𝟒𝟎. 𝟎𝟕
(c) Radius of the Circle
AC² = 8.22² + 9.772²
AC = 12.77
12.77
sin40.07 = 2
R
R = 9.92 m
PROBLEM 4: In saturated clay, A cut slope had been excavated. The angle of the slope is 38 degrees with
the horizontal. Slope failure occurred when the cut reached a depth of 8 m. The previous exploration of
the soil found that a rock layer was situated at a depth of 12.0 m below the ground surface. . Suppose the
saturated unit weight of the soil is 17.4 KN / m3 of the undrained condition.
(a) Calculate the undrained clay cohesion If the stability number is 0.18.
(b) Determine the nature of this critical circle?
(c) Determine the location or distance the slipping surface intersected the bottom of the excavation if
n=0.95.
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C D
H=8m
A B β = 38º
DH=12m
nH
SOLUTION:
(a) Undrained cohesion
Cu
Hcr =
δ(n)
Cu
8=
17.4(0.18)
𝑪𝒖 = 𝟐𝟓. 𝟎𝟓𝟔 𝑲𝑵/𝒎²
(b) Nature of the critical circle
➢ MIDPOINT CIRCLE
(c) Distance
AB = nH
AB = 0.95(8)
𝑨𝑩 = 𝟕. 𝟔𝒎