CE 240

Soil Mechanics & Foundations

Lecture 14.1
Slope Stability I
(Das, Ch. 14)
Class Outline
Factor of Safety (FS)
Stability of infinite slopes
Stability of finite slopes
Planar failure plane
Circular failure plane
Feb. 18, 2006 Philippine Landslide
Introduction

The simplest analogue:

Driving force: Wsin
Resisting force: Wcos
mWcos
The factor of safety (FS) for the translational
slip is defined as

tan
tan
sin
cos
= = =
W
W
F
F
FS
D
R
Clearly, when the dipping angle is smaller than
the angle of friction , the resisting force F
R
is
greater than the driving force F
D
, and the factor
of safety (FS) is greater than 1, and vice versa.
When FS > 1, safe; FS = 1, onset of failure; and
FS < 1, failed.
Stability of Infinite slopes

S
l
i
d
i
n
g

s
u
r
f
a
c
e

L
Vertical
slice
W
W
N
= Wsin
c
l
+
W
N
t
a
n

'
W
P
W
N
2
2 2
tan ' tan tan ' '
1
tan tan cos tan
' '
tan tan ' ,
cos cos (tan tan ')
cr
c
H
c c
H

= =
= =

driving strength, or resisting

Movement by slip (sliding)
- Movement occurs as a displacement along one distinct
surface of failure (or a narrow zone of failure).
-Using the limit equilibrium approach: equating the
driving forces to the resisting forces (shear strength) on
the slipping plane at the time of failure.
-The failure surface is idealized into either a planer or
circular plane.
-Failure occurred on the planar surface is
translational;
-Failure occurred on the circular plane is rotational;
Failure scarp in glacial till
Scarp
Toe
Scarp
CIRCULAR SLIPS
More common in cohesive soils
slope
sliding
surface
centre of
circle
crest of
slope
toe of slope
Three types of slump failure
Slope failure: weak near surface materials;
toe failure: extended slope or additional excavation;
Base failure: flat weak zone at depth.
slope failure
toe failure
base failure
m
Reading Assignment:
Das, Ch. 14
HW 1: Problem 14.3