FLOOD MITIGATION DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE MALAYSIA

GUIDELINE ON GEOTECHNICAL SLOPE STABILITY _______________________________________________________________________ 1.0 INTRODUCTION

This guideline provides advice on the geotechnical aspects of designing for stable sloping embankment. Geotechnical stability is defined as the stability of a slope or spoil pile against mass failure. Factors of Safety against failure are generally defined as the ratio between restoring forces and disturbing forces within the slope. Restoring forces are dependent on the available shear strength in the materials plus any introduced supports (such as anchors or rock bolts), while disturbing forces are a function of applied shear stresses, pore pressures, surcharges and loadings within the slope. Conventionally used safety factors for temporary and permanent slopes are 1.2 and 1.5 respectively. 2.0 ASSESMENT PROCEDURES

The following steps are recommended in approaching the assessment of the geotechnical stability of slopes: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Collect geotechnical data. Define design parameters. Define Factors of Safety. Analyze geotechnical slope stability. Refine slope geometries to conform with agreed factors of safety.

3.0

DATA COLLECTION

Data collection should be relevant to the type of slopes required and should be directed to the relevant factors affecting geotechnical stability. Data for embankment is required for assessing: (a) the bearing capacity of the underlying foundation materials (b) the stability of slopes formed in the material, and (c) the permeability and drainage characteristics Data collected should include: (a) a description of the soil profile below the embankment site in terms of: soil type particle size distribution plasticity (Atterberg limits) moisture content density shear strength (total and effective stress angle of friction and cohesion) compressibility thickness and depth to rock.

(b) Hydro geological conditions below the embankment site including: groundwater levels permeability.

(c) Geotechnical properties of the embankment materials including: particle size distribution density anticipated compacted density plasticity (Atterberg limits) dispersion index

mineralogy shear strength Permeability and any variations of the above if the material is expected to weather or deteriorate.

(d) Any other relevant data such as surcharges. 4.0 TESTS FOR SOILS

Soil tests must be carried out to determine the properties of the soil according to British Standard, BS 1377-9:1990 which outlines methods of tests for soils for civil engineering purposes. Some of the points covered under this standard are:soil testing soils construction field testing density measurement testing conditions test equipment calibration soil-testing equipment moisture measurement radiation measurement penetration tests soil strength tests soil bearing capacity vane test shear testing mechanical testing

electrical resistively and electrical testing

McIntosh Probe Tests carried out must follow the specifications and procedures of Jabatan Kerja Raya Malaysia (JKR).

5.0

DESIGN PARAMETERS

Design parameters should be selected to represent the characteristics of the slope forming materials. Measured values of soil parameters may show a scatter both locally and spatially. For example, bulk density may vary from 15 kN/m3 to 20 kN/m3. In addition to material parameters it is very important to select the correct groundwater and pore pressure distribution for the slope.

6.0

STABILITY ANALYSIS DETAILED DESIGN

Typical types of failure that can occur include: circular non-circular semi-infinite slope multiple block plane wedge log spiral (bearing capacity of foundations) flow slides. circular (normally earth slopes only).

Stability analysis and slope design is an iterative process of successive trials whereby potential sliding surfaces are chosen and the Factor of Safety determined. This is continued for all cinematically possible surfaces until the critical surface is found. The critical surface is the one with the lowest Factor of Safety. If this is below the minimum design Factor of Safety for the project, the slope geometry, drainage, or construction materials need to be varied until the minimum Factor of Safety is achieved or exceeded. Computer programs are commercially available to perform most stability analyses.

For preliminary and conceptual design purposes use can be made of stability charts published in readily available texts. However, these designs need to be confirmed and refined by detailed analysis at final design stage. 7.0 OTHER ENGINEERING ANALYSIS

Other engineering analysis which are relevant to slope stability and may be looked into are: bearing capacity settlement estimation seepage assessment construction materials filter and drainage slope protection

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