Slope Stability

y Analysis
y Procedures
Presentation for AEG/GI Short Course

UC Riverside,
e s de, May
ay 12,, 2012
0

William Kitch, Cal Poly Pomona

1 William A Kitch 2012

 Overview

Objectives
Obj ti off stability
t bilit analysis
l i
Measures of stability
Available computational methods
Limit equilibrium methods
Stability analysis process
Conclusions & questions

2 William A Kitch 2012

 Presentation scope

S il or continuous
Soil ti rock
k
Does not cover rock behavior governed by jointing (topples, key
wedge, etc)
Translational & rotational modes only
No debris flow or spreading analysis
St ti & pseudo
Static d static
t ti stability
t bilit
No earthquake deformation analysis

3 William A Kitch 2012

 Objectives of Stability analysis

Determine
D t i adequacy
d off an existing
i ti slope
l
Evaluate effectiveness of proposed slope remediation
Back calculate average shear strength of a slope know
to be in failure
Design
g an engineered
g slope

4 William A Kitch 2012

 Measures of stability

F t off safety
Factor f t
s
F

where
s shear strength available
equilbrium
ilb i shear
h stress
t
note
s

Mresisting

M driving

Definition
f based on shear strength and shear stress is the only
consistent definition
5 William A Kitch 2012
 Recommended factors of safety

Cornforth (2005)
Minimal Study Normal Study
Landslide size Borings Acceptable F Borings Acceptable F
Very Small 1 or none 1.50 1 1.50
Small 1 1.50 2 1.35
Medium 2 1.40 4 1.25
Large 3 1.30 6 1.20
Very Large 4 1.20 8 1.15

Duncan and Wright (2005)

Uncertainty of analysis
Cost of failure Small Large
Repair costs y incremental cost of safer design 1.25 1.5
Repair costs >> incremental cost of safer design 1.5 2.0 or more
6 William A Kitch 2012
 Agency requirements

US Army Corps of Engineers (1970)

Required Factor of safety for given condition
Type of slope End of Long-term steady Rapid Drawdown
construction state seepage
Dams, levees, 1.3 1.5 1.0 1.2
dikes & other
embankments

Typical Southern California Agency Requirements

Static Static with pseudo static earthquake load Temporary slopes
1.5 1.1 1.25

7 William A Kitch 2012

 Limitations of Factor of safety

Does nott contain

D t i information
i f ti about
b t the
th variability
i bilit or
uncertainty of shear strength or mobilized shear stress
Probability of
bility Density

failure
Probab

s Stress s
Same factor of safety can have different reliability
Probabilistic methods are available to estimate reliability
of slopes
8 William A Kitch 2012
 Available computational methods

Li it equilibrium
Limit ilib i methods
th d
Most common approach
Requires
q only
y simple
p Mohr-Coulomb soil model
Cannot model progressive failure
Cannot compute displacements
Must search for critical surface
Finite element methods
Do not need to search for critical surface, analysis automatically
finds it
Must have a complete stress-strain model for soil
Can compute
p displacements
p
Can model progressive failure

9 William A Kitch 2012

 Comparison of limit equilibrium and finite element methods

Limit equilibrium analysis Finite element analysis

F = 1.75 F = 1.74

10 William A Kitch 2012

 L
Locating
ti complex
l failure
f il surfaces
f with
ith FE analysis
l i

su1
su1 1.0
su 2
su2
su1
0.6
06
su 2

su1
0.2
su 2

Griffiths & Lane (1999)

11 William A Kitch 2012
 Limit Equilibrium Approach

1. Generall shape
G h off ffailure
il surface
f (planar,
( l circle,
i l non-circular)
i l )
assumed
Driven by geometry and geology of problem
Determines formulation of the analysis
2. Specific failure surfaced chosen
3. Some or all of static equilibrium conditions used to compute
eq ilibri m shear stress on failure
equilibrium rface
fail re ssurface,
1. Fx = 0
2. Fy = 0
3. M= 0
4. Available shear strength, s, along failure surface computed using
Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria (c & )
5. Factor of safety computed, F = s/
6. Back to step 2, continue until Fmin found
12 William A Kitch 2012
 1 unknown,
1 equation, FA = 0

Simple planar failure example for = 0 conditions

H2
W W H/tan
2 tan
FA = 0
H 2 cos
T W sin
2 H
H 2 cos sin T H/sin

2 H
H sin cos N

2 weak clay seam with
undrained strength, su
s 2 su
F critical surface
H sin cos
13 William A Kitch 2012
 Simple LE methods

Model
M d l simple
i l b butt iimportant
t t cases
Statically determinate problems
Can solve directly for F without assumptions about
distribution of stress within failure mass
Most common and useful methods
Planar or single wedge
Infinite slope
Swedish slip circle

14 William A Kitch 2012

 2 unknowns, F &
2 equations
FA = 0
Infinite slope analysis FB = 0

FA = 0
W sin
T W sin D cos sin
l
D FB = 0
W cos
t N W cos D cos 2
l

From Mohr-Coulomb
W ER D s c tan ' c D cos 2 tan '
EL c D cos 2 tan '
s
F
D cos sin
For c = 0 2
l D cos tan ' tan '
F
D cos sin tan
T For = 0, s = su
N
su
t F
l W tD D cos sin
15 cos William A Kitch 2012
 1 unknown, F
1 equation, MO = 0

Swedish slip circle for = 0 conditions

O
MO = 0
a r lr Wa
l1 su1 su
Wa
W
rl
su2 Shear strength
l l2 s su
s su rl
F
Wa

F
M resisting

M driving

r suili
F
Wa

16 William A Kitch 2012

 Summary of simple LE methods

Procedure
ocedu e Assumptions
ssu pt o s Equations
quat o s Variables
a ab es so
solved
ed for
o
used
Infinite Slope Infinitely long slope F = 0 Factor of safety
slip surface parallel F = 0 on failure surface
to surface
Swedish slip =0 MO = 0 Factor of safety
circle Circular slip surface

17 William A Kitch 2012

 Methods of slices

O
Wh 0
When
r s c ' ' tan '
c1, 1
Must determine
Cannot use simply MO = 0
c2, 2
zi
Vi
i Wi zi+1
Ei
i
Ei+1
Vi+1

Ti
Ni
li
18 William A Kitch 2012
 Equation/unknown count

x
Unknowns zi
F, factor of safety
z Vi
Wi zi+1
n values of Ni Ei
n1 values of Ei Ei+1
n1 values of Vi Vi+1
n1 values of zi
Total: 4n2 unknowns Ti
Equilibrium equations Ni
1 MO
1, li
n, Mi
n, Fx
Must make assumptions to
solve problem
n, Fz
Assumptions made affect
Total: 3n + 1 equations
accuracy of solution
19 William A Kitch 2012
 1 unknown, F
1 equation, MO = 0

Ordinary method of slices

Assumptions
Ignore side Wi
Circular surface Ignore side
forces
Ignore all side forces forces
Hi
Unknown
F
E
Equations
ti used
d Ti
MO = 0 Ni
Solution li

F
c ' l W cos ul tan ' Can directly solve for F
W sin Simple to implement
W Hll cos Generally conservative
u pore pressure on base of slice Accuracy poor when pore
20 pressure high
William A Kitch 2012
 1+n unknowns, F, Ni
1 equation,
MO = 0
Simplified bishop method n, Fz

x
Assumptions zi
z
Circular surface Wi zi+1
Ei
Side forces are horizontal
Unknown Ei+1
1, F

n, Ni
Ti
Equations used Ni
MO = 0
li
n, Fz
Requires iterative solution
Solution
c ' l cos W ul cos tan ' More accurate the OMS
cos sin tan ' / F E il iimplemented
Easily l d with
ih
F
spreadsheet
W sin
21 William A Kitch 2012
 Inclusion of external or internal loads

O
zi
r
Wi
k Wi Ei k Wi zi+1

Ei+1
Ri
Ri

i Ti
i Ni
li
Know forces included in
Allows for inclusion of
existing equilibrium equations
Pseudo static earthquake loads
Does not increase number of Forces from pile stabilization
unknowns External equipment or
Solution method the same structural loads

22 William A Kitch 2012

 Uses of non-circular surfaces

Surficial Slide

Weak seam

23 Weak layer William A Kitch 2012

 Non-circular surface methods

Assumption
A ti off circular
i l surface
f simplifies
i lifi problem
bl
By using MO = 0 number of unknowns substantially
reduced
Method of slices works for non-circular surfaces
More unknowns
More equilibrium equations required
Two broad groups of solutions available
Force equilibrium:
F ilib i uses Fx = 0 & Fz = 0
Full equilibrium: satisfies uses Fx = 0, Fz = 0 & M = 0
All still require
q assumptions
p about interslice forces

24 William A Kitch 2012

 Force equilibrium methods

A
Assume di ti interslice
direction i t li forces
f
Combined with Fx = 0 & Fz = 0 allows for solution for F

Method Interslice force

assumption
Simplified
p Janbu ((Janbu et al.1956)) Horizontal

Lowe and Karafiath (1959) Average of slope of top

and bottom of slice
Corps of Engineers modified Swedish method Parallel to average
(US Army Corps of Engineers, 1970) slope angle
25 William A Kitch 2012
 Force equilibrium solutions sensitive to direction of
interslice force

Figure 6.15 Influence of interslice force inclination on the computed factor of safety for
force equilibrium with parallel interslice forces. (Duncan & Wright, 2005)

26 William A Kitch 2012

 Full equilibrium methods

Add momentt equilibrium

ilib i tto x & y force
f equilibrium
ilib i
Still requires assumptions
Two most common methods
Spencer (1967)
Assumes all interslice forces are parallel
Solves for F and
Morgenstern and Price (1965)
Assumes V = f (x) E
f (x) is an assumed function
is a scaling constant
f(x)
Solves for F and
Morgenstern & Price more general
Spencer
p easier to implement
p
When using any full equilibrium method F is insensitive to
assumptions about interslice forces
27 William A Kitch 2012
 Comparison of full equilibrium methods

P
Procedure
d A
Assumptions
ti Equations
E ti V i bl solved
Variables l d for
f
used
Spencers Interslice forces Fx = 0 Factor of safety
parallel Fy = 0 Interslice angle
M=0 Interslice force
Location of
interslice force
on failure surface
Morgenstern Interslice forces related Fx = 0 Factor of safety
& Price by V = f (x) E Fy = 0 Scaling factor
Form
F off f (x)
( ) M=0 I t li force
Interslice f
Location of
interslice force
on failure surface

28 William A Kitch 2012

 Data available from full equilibrium method

29 William A Kitch 2012

 Summary
y of applicability
pp y of LE methods
Procedure Application
Infinite Slope Homogeneous cohesionless slopes and slopes where the
stratigraphy restricts the slip surface to shallow depths and parallel
to the slope face. Very accurate where applicable.
Swedish Circle Undrained analyses in saturated clays, = 0. Relatively thick zones
=0 of weaker materials where circular surface is appropriate.
Ordinary Method Nonhomogeneous slopes and c soils where circular surface is
of Slices appropriate. Convenient for hand calculations. Inaccurate for
effective stress analyses with high pore pressures.
Simplified Bishop Nonhomogeneous slopes and c c soils where circular surface is
procedure appropriate. Better than OMS. Calculations feasible by spreadsheet
Force Equilibrium Applicable to virtually all slopes. Less accurate than
procedures p
complete equilibrium
q p
procedures and results sensitive to
assumed interslice force angles.
Spencer Applicable to virtually all slopes. The simplest full equilibrium
procedure for computing the factor of safety.
Morgenstern Applicable to virtually all slopes. Rigorous, well-established
and Price complete equilibrium procedure.
30 From Duncan & Wright (2005) William A Kitch 2012
 Critical details of LE analysis

S
Searching
hi ffor critical
iti l surface
f
Check for multiple minima
Special
p attention required
q when using
g non-circular surfaces
Select appropriate shear strength
Progressive failure
P
Pre-existing
i ti shear
h surfaces
f
Check for invalid solutions
Tensile forces near crest
Steep exit slopes
Non-convergence of solutions

31 William A Kitch 2012

 Critical surface search: regional minimum

32 William A Kitch 2012

 Critical surface search: local minimum

33 William A Kitch 2012

 Critical surface search: multiple modes

34 From Duncan & Wright (2005) William A Kitch 2012

 Progressive failure

From Duncan & Wright (2005)

35 William A Kitch 2012
 Validity of solution: Tension crack at crest

Al
Always check
h k liline off th
thrustt

36 William A Kitch 2012

 Validity of solution: Tension crack at crest

I
Insert
t ttension
i crack
k att crestt if needed
d d

37 William A Kitch 2012

 Steep exit angle

C cause
Can
Non-convergence of solution
Very
y high
g stresses
Negative (tensile stresss)
Solution
Use Si
U Simplified-Bishop
lifi d Bi h
For exit slope to be more
shallow

From Duncan & Wright (2005)

38 William A Kitch 2012
 Preparing for stability analysis

Determine
D t i required
i d scope off analysis
l i
Assess risk of project and select appropriate F
Build subsurface model
Determine drainage conditions which apply
End-of-construction undrained condition
Long-term drained condition (both?)
Select appropriate soil strength properties
Id tif expectt failure
Identify f il surface
f geometry
t and d select
l t
analysis procedure
Circular non-cirucular
Select appropriate analysis procedure
39 William A Kitch 2012
 Performing stability analysis

I
Investigate
ti t potential
t ti l failure
f il modes
d using
i simple
i l models
d l
Identify areas where F is low
Adjust subsurface model and analysis method as needed
Soil properties, geometry, computational method
Thoroughly investigate all potential failure modes with rigorous
search for critical surface
Search all area with local minimum
Consider risk of each significant failure mode
Thoroughly examine computations for critical modes
Check line of thrust
Sanity check results
Similar p
project,
j , hand computation,
p , other method

40 William A Kitch 2012

 Software (a very short list)

St d l
Standalone stability
t bilit packages
k
STABL/STED
Oasys
y
UTEXAS4
LimitState
Integrated packages
RocScience
GeoStudio
gINT
SoilVision

41 William A Kitch 2012

 Recommended texts

Abramson, L
Ab L. W
W. (2002)
(2002). Slope
Sl stability
t bilit and
d stabilization
t bili ti
methods. Wiley, New York.
Cornforth D
Cornforth, D. H
H. (2005)
(2005). Landslides in Practice -
Investigation, Analysis, and Remedial/Preventative
Options in Soils. John Wiley & Sons.
Duncan, J. M., and Wright, S. G. (2005). Soil Strength
and Slope Stability. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, N.J.

42 William A Kitch 2012

 References

Abramson, L.
Abramson L W.
W (2002).
(2002) Slope stability and stabilization methods
methods. Wiley,
Wiley New York
York.
Cornforth, D. H. (2005). Landslides in Practice - Investigation, Analysis, and
Remedial/Preventative Options in Soils. John Wiley & Sons.
Duncan, J. M., and Wright, S. G. (2005). Soil Strength and Slope Stability. John Wiley & Sons,
Hoboken N
Hoboken, N.J.
J
Griffiths, D. V., and Lane, P. A. (1999). Slope stability analysis by finite elements.
Geotechnique, 49(3), 387403.
Janbu, N., Bjerrum, L., and Kjrnsli, B. (1956). Veiledning ved Lsning av
Fundamenteringsoppgaver (Soil Mechanics Applied to Some Engineering Problems), Publication
16, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Oslo.
Lowe, J., and Karafiath, L. (1959). Stability of earth dams upon drawdown, Proceedings of the
First PanAmerican Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Mexico City, Vol.
2, pp. 537552.
Morgenstern, N. R., and Price, V. E. (1965). The analysis of the stability of general slip
surfaces, Geotechnique, 15(1), 7993.
Spencer, E. (1967). A method of analysis of the stability of embankments assuming parallel
inter-slice forces, Geotechnique, 17(1), 1126.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1970). Engineering and Design:Stability of Earth and Rock-Fill
Dams, Engineer Manual EM 1110-2-1902, Washington, DC, April.

43 William A Kitch 2012