CE 343
Geotechnical Engineering II
Department of Civil Engineering
Slope Stability
Modes of Failure
In general, finite slope failure occurs in one of the
following modes (Fig. 6).
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 (Fig. 6a).
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, as shown in Fig. 6b.
Slope Stability
Figure 6a
Modes of Failure of Finite Slope
Slope Failure
Slope Stability
Modes of Failure
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 (Fig.
6c).
The failure circle in the case of base failure is called
a midpoint circle.
Slope Stability
Figure 6b
Modes of Failure of Finite Slope
Shallow Slope Failure
Slope Stability
Figure 6c
Modes of Failure of Finite Slope
Base Failure
Slope Stability
Types of Stability Analysis Procedure
In general, available procedures of stability analysis
can be divided into two major classes:
1. Mass Procedure
2. Method of Slices
Slope Stability
Types of Stability Analysis Procedure
1. Mass Procedure
In this case, the mass of the soil above the surface
of sliding is taken as a unit.
The 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.
Slope Stability
Types of Stability Analysis Procedure
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 account.
It also accounts for the variation of normal stress
along the potential failure surface.
Slope Stability
Fig. 7 shows a slope in homogeneous soil.
The undrained shear strength of the soil is assumed to
be constant with depth i.e., 𝝉𝒇 = 𝒄𝒖
𝑨𝑬𝑫 is chosen as a trial potential curve of sliding which
is an arc of a circle that has a radius 𝒓. 𝑶 is the center
of the circle.
Considering a unit length perpendicular to the section
of slope, the weight of the soil above the curve 𝑨𝑬𝑫,
𝑾 = 𝑾𝟏 + 𝑾𝟐 ;
𝑾𝟏 = 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒐𝒇 𝑭𝑪𝑫𝑬𝑭 × 𝜸
𝑾𝟐 = (𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝑩𝑭𝑬𝑨 × 𝜸)
Slope Stability
Figure 7
Stability Analysis of Slope in Homogeneous
Saturated Clay (∅ = 0)
Slope Stability
Failure of slope may occur by sliding of the soil mass.
The moment of the driving force about 𝑶 to cause
slope instability is-
𝑴𝒅 = 𝑾𝟏 𝒍𝟏 − 𝑾𝟐 𝒍𝟐 (43)
Where, 𝒍𝟏 and 𝒍𝟐 are moment arms
The resistance to sliding is derived from the cohesion
that acts along the potential surface of sliding.
If 𝒄𝒅 is the cohesion that needs to be developed, the
moment of resisting forces about 𝑶 is-
𝑴𝑹 = 𝒄𝒅 𝑨𝑬𝑫 𝟏 𝒓 = 𝒄𝒅 𝒓𝟐 𝜽 (44)
Slope Stability
Figure 7
Stability Analysis of Slope in Homogeneous
Saturated Clay (∅ = 0)
Slope Stability
For equilibrium,
𝑴𝑹 = 𝑴𝒅
Thus,
𝒄𝒅 𝒓𝟐 𝜽 = 𝑾𝟏 𝒍𝟏 − 𝑾𝟐 𝒍𝟐
or
𝑾𝟏 𝒍𝟏 −𝑾𝟐 𝒍𝟐
𝒄𝒅 = (45)
𝒓𝟐 𝜽
Factor of safety against sliding,
𝝉𝒇 𝒄𝒖
𝑭𝒔 = = (46)
𝒄𝒅 𝒄𝒅
Slope Stability
The potential curve of sliding, 𝑨𝑬𝑫 , was chosen
arbitrarily.
The critical failure surface is that for which the ratio
of 𝒄𝒖 to 𝒄𝒅 is a minimum. In other words, 𝒄𝒅 is
maximum.
To find the critical surface for sliding, one must make
a number of trials for different trial circles.
The minimum value of the factor of safety thus
obtained is the factor of safety against sliding for
the slope and the corresponding circle is the critical
circle.
Slope Stability
Stability problems of this type have been solved
analytically by Fellenius (1927) and Taylor (1937).
For the case of critical circles, the developed
cohesion can be expressed by the relationship
𝒄𝒅 = 𝜸𝑯𝒎
or
𝒄𝒅
=𝒎 (47)
𝜸𝑯
The term 𝒎 is non-dimensional and is referred to as
the stability number.
Slope Stability
The critical height (i.e., 𝐹𝑠 = 1) of the slope can be
evaluated by substituting 𝐻 = 𝐻𝑐𝑟 and 𝑐𝑑 = 𝑐𝑢 (full
mobilization of the undrained shear strength) into
Eq. 47.
Thus,
𝒄𝒖
𝑯𝒄𝒓 = (48)
𝜸𝒎
Values of the stability number, 𝒎, for various slope
angles 𝜷, are given in Fig. 8b.
Slope Stability
Figure 8a
Definition of Parameters for Midpoint Circle
type of Failure
Slope Stability
Figure 8b
Plot of Stability Number against Slope Angle
(Redrawn from Terzaghi & Peck, 1967)
Slope Stability
𝜸𝑯
Terzaghi used the term , the reciprocal of 𝒎 and
𝒄𝒅
called it stability factor.
Note that, Fig. 8a is valid for slopes of saturated clay
and is applicable to only undrained conditions (∅ =
𝟎).
Slope Stability
Some Key Points in reference to Fig. 8
1. For a slope angle 𝜷 greater than 𝟓𝟑°, the critical
circle is always a toe circle.
2. For 𝜷 < 𝟓𝟑°, the critical circle may be a toe, slope
or midpoint circle, depending on the location of
the firm base under the slope. This is called the
depth function, which is defined as-
𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞
𝑫= (49)
𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞
Slope Stability
Some Key Points in reference to Fig. 8
3. When the critical circle is a midpoint circle (i.e., the
failure surface is tangent to the firm base), its
position can be determined with the aid of Fig. 9.
4. The maximum possible value of the stability number
for failure as a midpoint circle is 𝟎. 𝟏𝟖𝟏.
Slope Stability
Figure 9
Location of Midpoint
Circle
Slope Stability
EXAMPLE 03
A cut slope in saturated clay (Fig. 10) makes an angle
of 𝟓𝟔° with the horizontal.
a) Determine the maximum depth up to which the cut
could be made assuming the critical surface for sliding
is circularly cylindrical. What will be the nature of the
critical circle (i.e., toe, slope or midpoint)?
b) How deep should the cut be made if a factor of safety
of 𝟐 against sliding is required?
Slope Stability
Figure 10
EXAMPLE 03
Slope Stability
EXAMPLE 03 : SOLUTION
a)
Since the slope angle 𝜷 = 𝟓𝟔° > 𝟓𝟑°, the critical circle
is a toe circle.
From Fig. 8a, for 𝜷 = 𝟓𝟔°, 𝒎 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟖𝟓
𝑐𝑢 500
𝐻𝑐𝑟 = = = 𝟐𝟒. 𝟓𝟕 𝒇𝒕
𝛾𝑚 110 × 0.186
Slope Stability
Figure 8b
Plot of Stability Number against Slope Angle
(Redrawn from Terzaghi & Peck, 1967)
Slope Stability
EXAMPLE 03 : SOLUTION
b)
The developed cohesion is-
𝑐𝑢 500
𝑐𝑑 = = = 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝒍𝒃/𝒇𝒕𝟐
𝐹𝑠 2
From Fig. 8a, for 𝜷 = 𝟓𝟔°, 𝒎 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟖𝟓
𝑐𝑑 250
𝐻= = = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟐𝟗 𝒇𝒕
𝛾𝑚 110 × 0.186
Slope Stability
EXAMPLE 04
A cut slope was excavated in a saturated clay. The
slope made an angle of 𝟒𝟎° with the horizontal. Slope
failure occurred when the cut reached a depth of
𝟔. 𝟏 𝒎. previous soil explorations showed that a rock
layer was located at a depth of 𝟗. 𝟏𝟓 𝒎 below the
ground surface. Assume an undrained condition and
𝜸𝒔𝒂𝒕 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟐𝟗 𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟑 .
a) Determine the undrained cohesion of the clay (Use Fig.
8a).
b) What was the nature of the critical circle?
c) With reference to the toe of the slope, at what distance
did the surface of sliding intersect the bottom of the
Slope Stability
EXAMPLE 04 : SOLUTION
a)
9.15
𝐷= = 1.5, 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 17.29 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
6.1
And
𝒄𝒖
𝑯𝒄𝒓 =
𝜸𝒎
From Fig.14.8a, for 𝜷 = 𝟒𝟎° 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑫 = 𝟏. 𝟓; 𝒎 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟕𝟓
So,
𝑐𝑢 = 𝐻𝑐𝑟 𝛾 𝑚 = 6.15 × 17.29 × 0.175 = 𝟏𝟖. 𝟔 𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐
Slope Stability
Figure 8b
Plot of Stability Number against Slope Angle
(Redrawn from Terzaghi & Peck, 1967)
Slope Stability
EXAMPLE 04 : SOLUTION
b)
Midpoint Circle
c)
From Fig. 9, for 𝜷 = 𝟒𝟎° 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑫 = 𝟏. 𝟓; 𝒏 = 𝟎. 𝟗
So,
Distance = 𝑛 𝐻𝑐𝑟 = 0.9 6.1 = 𝟓. 𝟒𝟗 𝒎
Slope Stability
Figure 9
Location of Midpoint
Circle
