I q=210 psf I

3.3 ft (1:3) Select Fill:

y=127 pcf
$
16.4 ft (20:1) 4>=34°
·r
19.7 ft (10:1)
le
1
23.0 ft (5:1)
L Bedrock:
1 y=150 pcf
29.6 ft (2:1)
ct>=4QO
c=10,000 psf
Residual Soil:
y=127 pcf
4>=15°
Figure 3-2. The basic problem of multi-tiered slope/wall

For cohesionless unreinforced slopes, the critical slip surface coincides with the steepest slope
surface. That is, if circular arcs are considered, the critical circle will have its center far from the
slope rendering an arc that degenerates to planar surface coinciding with the slope surface. The
corresponding Fs for the unreinforced problem then is trivial. As it is in an infinite cohesionless
slope, its value is equal to tan(φ)/tan(β) where β is the angle of the steepest slope which is the
upper tier in this example; i.e., the steepest slope is 20(v):1(h) meaning that
Fs=tan(34°)/20=0.034. Figure 3-3 illustrates rotational failure surfaces as rendered by Bishop’s
analysis. It shows the location of the critical circle. By itself, this surface is of little value when
designing for reinforcement. However, the red zone in the safety map shows that, practically,
most of the granular backfill needs to be reinforced since the safety factor, SF, is less than 1.3
nearly everywhere. Note that for reinforced slopes, FHWA requires Fs≥1.3. The safety map,
Figure 3-3, indicates visually the zones within which the SF is unsatisfactory.

As a first iteration in the design process, the reinforcement layout shown in Figure 3-2 is
specified. The long-term design strength of the reinforcement, LTDS, for the bottom tier is 5482
lb/ft; for the second tier, it is 3426 lb/ft; for the third tier, it is 2056 lb/ft; and for the top tier, it is
548 lb/ft. The connection strength is assumed to equal the design strength of the reinforcement;
interface strength coefficient of reinforcement-backfill was taken as 0.8tan(φ) [i.e., F*α =
0.8tan(φ)]; coverage ratio is Rc = 100%. Re-running the reinforced problem using Bishop’s
analysis yields the safety map shown in Figure 3-4; Fs now is 1.29 (i.e., practically acceptable)
and its corresponding critical circle is limited by the bedrock. The safety map implies the
following:

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