A SIMPLE APPROACH TO SLOPE STABILITY

When analysing the stability of a soil slope using a computer, a hand calculator is beneficial in understanding the potential forces acting on the slope and for appreciating the sensitivity of the calculated factor of safety to the parameter selected. The commercial computer program can then be a valuable aid in determining the most critical slip surfaces once there is a basic understanding of the slope and the parameters. A simple equation based on conventional shear strength theory for both circular and non-circular slips has been developed and its derivation given in an appendix. Where horizontal stress in the ground can be estimated or measured the equation may be applied to its full form. Applications of the simple equation are described for routine calculations where the strain, strength parameters and water pressures cannot be precisely defined and where the effects of variations in the parameters are to be studied. Results show that the simple equation, easily applied to a pocket calculator, is compatible with other accepted but more complex methods of analysis. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00174653
• Corporate Authors:

  Foundation Publications Limited

  7 Ongar Road
  Brentwood CM15 9AU, Essex,   England 
• Authors:
  • GREENWOOD, J R
• Publication Date: 1983-5

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 45-48
• Serial:
  • GROUND ENGINEERING
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue Number: 14
  • Publisher: EMAP CONSTRUCT LIMITED
  • ISSN: 0017-4653

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Calculators; Coefficients; Digital computers; Information processing; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Pore water pressures; Safety; Shear strength; Slip surfaces; Slope stability; Soils; Stability analysis; Strength of materials; Stresses
• ITRD Terms: 6471: Analysis (math); 8673: Digital computer; 6473: Mathematical model; 5762: Pore water pressure; 5504: Safety coefficient; 5531: Shear; 5794: Slip surface (soil mech); 5783: Slope stability; 4156: Soil; 5544: Strength (mater); 5575: Stress (in material)
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00386073
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 30 1984 12:00AM