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CIVL4720 2014 Assign 5
CIVL4720 2014 Assign 5
Assignment 5 Slope Engineering
(Due date: 5:00pm Tuesday 25 Nov, Week 13)
1. [24 marks] Based on planar failure surface analysis determine the factor of safety for the
following soil slope in Fig.1 using Culmann’s method. Develop an EXCEL spreadsheet that
will allow you to determine the factor of safety of the above slope. Use your spreadsheet
to solve the problem iteratively and hence find the factor of safety. Submit the following
as a part of your solution:
m
er as
co
eH w
50ft
o.
rs e C=700psf, φ=30°, γ=110pcf
ou urc
θ
62°
Figure 1
Figure 1
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a) [14 marks] Print out spreadsheet showing final iteration.
aC s
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b) [10 marks] A table that summarizes the starting and final values of factor safety
corresponding to each iteration.
2. [24 marks] Figure 2 shows a vertical cut in a clay soil where φ=0° conditions exist. The
ed d
soil cohesion = c.
ar stu
is
Hc
Unit weight = γ
Th
H
sh
Figure 2
a) [10 marks] Derive a general expression for the Factor of Safety considering tension
cracks, F of the excavation corresponding to any arbitrary failure plane with angle of
inclination, θ. H=height of the vertical cut; Hc= depth of tension cracks in the soil.
b) [8 marks] Now, find θ such that F is a minimum and hence write down an expression
for the Factor of Safety of the cut for a vertical cut with height, H.
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering @ HKUST 1
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CIVL 4720 Geotechnical Analysis and Design, Fall 2014
c) [3 marks] Using the expression derived in (b) above, find the maximum height of a
vertical cut.
d) [3 marks] It is commonly assumed that Hc = H/2. Simplify the expression from Part
(c) using this assumption.
3. [20 marks]Figure 3 shows the cross sectional profile of a channel (See solid line)
excavated in a homogeneous clay soil. The channel is 8.8m deep. The clay is underlain by
a hard layer of shale. The clay‐shale interface is located at a depth of 3.60m from the base
of the channel. The properties of the clayey soil are also shown in the figure.
a) [10 marks] Using Taylor’s Charts to estimate the Factor of Safety against side slope
failure.
b) [10 marks] If the channel geometry was changed to the V‐shape shown by the dotted
lined, then what would be the new Factor of Safety for the side slopes?
m
er as
co
eH w
Slope angle 30°
Cu= 32 kN/m2
o.
Homogeneous φu = 0°
clay
rs e γ = 20 kN/m3
ou urc
o
aC s
Figure 3
4. [32 Marks] Figure 4b represents a 48.5‐ft deep excavation in a fissured,
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over‐consolidated clay. This earth excavation took place in the preparation of the site for
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the construction of a nuclear power plant in Bradwell, England. The excavated slope
failed only 8 days after the excavation was completed. Subsequent to the failure, a
detailed investigation was undertaken by the geotechnical engineering research group at
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Imperial College, University of London.
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The site stratigraphy was as follows:
b) [20 marks] Determine the factor of safety corresponding to the trial failure surface
shown on figure. Tabulate your results according to the example problem given in
class. You may do the calculations by hand or by using an EXCEL spreadsheet.
m
er as
co
eH w
o.
rs e
ou urc
o
aC s
vi y re
ed d
ar stu
is
Th
sh
Figure 4a
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering @ HKUST 3
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CIVL 4720 Geotechnical Analysis and Design, Fall 2014
a
vi
ed
ar
sh
as
w
m e
co rc
o. ou
er res
eH y
rs d
stu
Figure 4b Bradwell Slip, England
is
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering @ HKUST 4
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