CV4111 Ground Engineering Week 11 Lectures

This lecture: Bishop simplified method of slices

By
A/P LOW Bak Kong

Learning objectives:
• Understand the assumptions and concepts of the Bishop
simplified method (BSM) of slices for slope stability analysis.
• Implementation of BSM in the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
platform, for deeper appreciation of the meaning of the
derived equations, and to learn computation techniques useful
beyond the present context.
1
Nash (1987)

2
 Bishop’s Simplified Method (BSM) Nash (1987)

At the base of slice:

σ = total normal stress Soil properties:
τ = mobilized shear stress C′, φ′, γ
u = pore water pressure
Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion: s = c’ + (σ - u)tanφ′
Mobilized shear stress: τ = s/F, where F is factor of safety

Now P = σl, T = τl hence T = [c′l + (P − ul ) tan φ ′] F α

Resolve vertically: P cos α + T sin α = W − ( X R − X L )

Assuming XR = XL = 0 (i.e. interslice forces horizontal)

P cos α = W − T sin α = W −
1
[c ′l + (P − ul ) tan φ ′]sin α
F

Rearranging, get: P ⎛⎜ cos α + ⎞

sin α tan φ ′ ⎟ = W − (c′l − ul tan φ ′)sin α
1 1
⎝ F ⎠ F
Hence:

3
Many books derive the following equations for Bishop’s simplified
method: tan φ ′
mα = cos α + sin α
F
c ' b + (W − ub) tan φ ′
∑ mα
Fm =
∑ W × sin α
It can be verified that the above formulations give identical Fm as
Nash (1987)’s formulations of slides 2 and 3):

4
One slice
5
Limit Equilibrium Methods
At failure: Shear strength fully mobilized
s = cu (total stress analyses)
s = c′ + σ′tanφ′ (effective stress analysis)
Stable slopes :
Mobilized shear strength < available shear strength
Shear strength available
F= Shear strength required for stability
Need to search for the smallest factor of
safety corresponding to the critical slip surface
6
 b
15
10

h 5
0

α -10 -5 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

7
 O
Bishop’s simplified
method: XR = XL = 0
α

R
b
EL
W XR
XL
l ER
T
P α
l = b / cosα
8
 ⎡ ⎤
P = ⎢W − (c′l sin α − ul tan φ ′ sin α )⎥ / mα
1
⎣ F ⎦
⎛ tan φ ′ ⎞
where mα = cos α ⎜1 + tan α ⎟
⎝ R F ⎠
Overall
MOMENT
∑WR sin α b= ∑ TR
[c' l + (P − ul ) tan φ ']
∑W sin α ∑
equilibrium
=W
F
∑ [c ′l + ( P − l ) tan φ ′]
ul
Fm = T
∑W sin
P
α α 9
 ⎛ tan φ ′ ⎞ b 15
mα = cos α ⎜ 1 + tan α ⎟
⎝ F ⎠ 10

⎡ ⎤
P = ⎢W − ( c ′ l sin α − ul tan φ ′ sin α ) ⎥ / mα
1 5
h
⎣ F ⎦ slice 0

∑ [c ′l + ( P − ul ) tan φ ′ ]
-10 -5 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Fm = α
∑ W sin α Computed Fm is for the specified slip surface. The minimum
Fm can be obtained by searching for the critical slip surface.

γ c' φ' cotβ H ru F(trial) Fm(computed) ΔF

19
3
12
2
20 2 11 0.1 Bishop's 1.460 1.460 0.000
o
(kN/m ) (kN/m ) ( ) (m)
Simplified Method xc yc Radius xmin xmax Δx
7 19 22 -4.0905 27.494 1.373
Boxed or shaded cells contain equations
Bishop's simplified method, solved uisng automated spreadsheet iteration u = ruγh

columns, to allow variation from slice to slice.

soil properties, c', ' and can have their own
NOTE: For soil profile with nonhomogeneous
# x ytop ybot b h W sinα α(rad) Wsinα u l mα P Fm Num
1 27.49 11.00 11.00 1.37 1.44 37.6 0.903 1.126 33.93 2.74 3.19 0.655 24.22 43.94
2 26.12 11.00 8.12 1.37 3.94 102.8 0.839 0.996 86.31 7.49 2.53 0.753 118.69 66.63
3 24.75 11.00 6.00 1.37 5.85 152.6 0.776 0.889 118.45 11.11 2.18 0.824 174.01 80.67
4 23.37 11.00 4.31 1.37 7.39 192.9 0.714 0.795 137.68 14.05 1.96 0.878 212.10 90.70
5 22.00 11.00 2.91 1.37 8.34 217.6 0.651 0.709 141.68 15.84 1.81 0.921 230.71 95.25
6 20.63 10.31 1.73 1.37 8.74 228.1 0.589 0.629 134.26 16.61 1.70 0.955 234.52 95.48
7 19.25 9.63 0.73 1.37 8.98 234.3 0.526 0.554 123.28 17.06 1.61 0.982 235.26 94.98
8 17.88 8.94 -0.12 1.37 9.08 236.8 0.464 0.482 109.82 17.25 1.55 1.002 233.65 93.91
9 16.51 8.25 -0.84 1.37 9.05 236.1 0.401 0.413 94.74 17.20 1.50 1.016 230.10 92.36
10 15.13 7.57 -1.44 1.37 8.91 232.5 0.339 0.346 78.77 16.93 1.46 1.025 224.86 90.36
11 13.76 6.88 -1.94 1.37 8.67 226.2 0.276 0.280 62.50 16.47 1.43 1.030 218.06 87.95
12 12.39 6.19 -2.33 1.37 8.33 217.4 0.214 0.215 46.48 15.83 1.41 1.030 209.76 85.11
13 11.02 5.51 -2.63 1.37 7.90 206.1 0.151 0.152 31.20 15.01 1.39 1.026 199.94 81.85
14 9.64 4.82 -2.84 1.37 7.38 192.5 0.089 0.089 17.12 14.02 1.38 1.018 188.54 78.13
15 8.27 4.13 -2.96 1.37 6.77 176.7 0.026 0.026 4.68 12.87 1.37 1.006 175.43 73.90
16 6.90 3.45 -3.00 1.37 6.08 158.6 -0.036 -0.036 -5.71 11.55 1.37 0.990 160.43 69.10
17 5.52 2.76 -2.95 1.37 5.30 138.3 -0.098 -0.099 -13.61 10.07 1.38 0.971 143.28 63.65
18 4.15 2.07 -2.81 1.37 4.43 115.7 -0.161 -0.162 -18.61 8.42 1.39 0.947 123.62 57.42
19 2.78 1.39 -2.59 1.37 3.48 90.7 -0.223 -0.225 -20.27 6.61 1.41 0.919 100.98 50.27
20 1.40 0.70 -2.28 1.37 2.43 63.4 -0.286 -0.290 -18.11 4.62 1.43 0.887 74.71 41.98
21 0.03 0.01 -1.87 1.37 1.62 42.2 -0.348 -0.356 -14.71 3.08 1.46 0.851 54.12 35.64 Use the Σ
22 -1.34 0.00 -1.36 1.37 1.05 27.3 -0.411 -0.423 -11.22 1.99 1.51 0.809 39.65 31.42 button
23 -2.72 0.00 -0.74 1.37 0.37 9.6 -0.473 -0.493 -4.55 0.70 1.56 0.763 20.39 25.73
24 -4.09 0.00 0.00 1114 1626.4
10
 ⎛ tan φ ′ ⎞
mα = co s α ⎜ 1 + tan α ⎟
⎝ F ⎠
⎡ ⎤
P = ⎢W −
1
( c ′ l sin α − u l tan φ ′ sin α ) ⎥ / m α
⎣ F ⎦

Fm =
∑ [c ′ l + ( P − u l ) tan φ ′ ]
∑ W sin α
γ c' φ' cotβ H ru
19
3
12
2
20 2 11 0.1 Bish
(kN/m ) (kN/m ) (o) (m)
11
 b 15
10
5
h slice 0
-10 -5 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

α Computed Fm is for the specified slip surface. The minimum

Fm can be obtained by searching for the critical slip surface.

F(trial) Fm(computed) ΔF
Bishop's 1.460 1.460 0.000

plified Method xc yc Radius xmin xmax Δx

7 19 22 -4.0905 27.494 1.373
ti
12
 ytop
b
15
10

h 5
0

α -10 -5 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

hL = (ytop - ybot)Left ybot

h = 0.5*(hL + HR)
13
 Bishop's simplified method, solved uisng a

# x ytop ybot b h W
1 27.49 11.00 11.00 1.37 1.44 37.6
2 26.12 11.00 8.12 1.37 3.94 102.8
3 24.75 11.00 6.00 1.37 5.85 152.6
4 23.37 11.00 4.31 1.37 7.39 192.9
5 22.00 11.00 2.91 1.37 8.34 217.6
6 20.63 10.31 1.73 1.37 8.74 228.1
7 19.25 9.63 0.73 1.37 8.98 234.3
8 17.88 8.94 -0.12 1.37 9.08 236.8
9 16.51 8.25 -0.84 1.37 9.05 236.1
10 15.13 7.57 -1.44 1.37 8.91 232.5
11 13.76 6.88 -1.94 1.37 8.67 226.2

14
 0 . 5 ( x i + x i +1 ) − x c
sin α =
Radius

0.5(xi+xi+1)-xc

15
rtomated
u is the porespreadsheet
pressure ratio iteration u = ruγh
sinα α (rad) Wsinα u l
0.903 1.126 33.93 2.74 3.19
0.839 0.996 86.31 7.49 2.53
0.776 0.889 118.45 11.11 2.18
0.714 0.795 137.68 14.05 1.96
0.651 0.709 141.68 15.84 1.81
0.589 0.629 134.26 16.61 1.70
0.526 0.554 123.28 17.06 1.61
0.464 0.482 109.82 17.25 1.55
0.401 0.413 94.74 17.20 1.50
16
 mα P Fm Num
0.655 24.22 43.94
0.753 118.69 66.63
0.824 174.01 80.67
0.878 212.10 90.70
0.921 230.71 95.25
0.955 234.52 95.48
0.982 235.26 94.98
1.002 233.65 93.91
1.016 230.10 92.36 17
 ⎛ tan φ ′ ⎞
mα = co s α ⎜ 1 + tan α ⎟
⎝ F ⎠
⎡ ⎤
P = ⎢W −
1
( c ′ l sin α − u l tan φ ′ sin α ) ⎥ / m α
⎣ F ⎦

Fm =
∑ [c ′ l + ( P − u l ) tan φ ′ ]
∑ W sin α
γ c' φ' cotβ H ru
19
3
12
2
20 2 11 0.1 Bish
(kN/m ) (kN/m ) (o) (m) 18
 Wsinα u l mα P Fm Num
33.93 2.74 3.19 0.655 24.22 43.94
86.31 7.49 2.53 0.753 118.69 66.63
118.45 11.11 2.18 0.824 174.01 80.67
137.68 14.05 1.96 0.878 212.10 90.70
141.68 15.84 1.81 0.921 230.71 95.25
134.26 16.61 1.70 0.955 234.52 95.48
123.28 17.06 1.61 0.982 235.26 94.98
⎛ 109.82
tan φ ′ ⎞
17.25 1.55 1.002 233.65 93.91
mα = cos α ⎜ 1 + tan α
94.74 17.20
⎟ 1.50 1.016 230.10 92.36

⎝ F ⎠
78.77 16.93 1.46 1.025 224.86 90.36
62.50 16.47 1.43 1.030 218.06 87.95
46.48 15.83 1.41 1.030 209.76 85.11
⎡ ⎤
P = ⎢W − (c ′l sin α − ul tan φ ′ sin α )⎥ / m
1 31.20
17.12
15.01
14.02
1.39
1.38
1.026
1.018
199.94
188.54
81.85
78.13
α
⎣ F 4.68
-5.71
12.87
11.55
1.37
1.37 ⎦
1.006
0.990
175.43
160.43
73.90
69.10

∑ [c ′l + (P − ul ) tan φ ′]
-13.61 10.07 1.38 0.971 143.28 63.65
-18.61 8.42 1.39 0.947 123.62 57.42
Fm = -20.27 6.61 1.41 0.919 100.98 50.27

∑ W sin α
-18.11
-14.71
-11.22
4.62
3.08
1.99
1.43
1.46
1.51
0.887
0.851
0.809
74.71
54.12
39.65
41.98
35.64
31.42
-4.55 0.70 1.56 0.763 20.39 25.73
1114 1626.4
 ⎛ tan φ ′ ⎞
mα = cos α ⎜ 1 + tan α ⎟
⎝ F ⎠
⎡ ⎤
P = ⎢W − (c l sin α − ul tan φ sin α )⎥ / mα
1
′ ′
⎣ F ⎦
∑ [c ′l + ( P − ul ) tan φ ′ ]
Fm =
∑ W sin α
NOTE: if φu = 0 and shear strength s = cu, then the OMS and the BSM give
the same factor of safety as the φu = 0 method. For effective stress analysis
using c′ and φ′, BSM is more accurate than OMS. (The φu = 0 method, OMS,
and BSM assume circular slip surface. Spencer method can deal with
noncircular slip surface.)
You will implement the above BSM equations in Microsoft Excel from
scratch, to get a deeper understanding of the concepts and principles
underlying the equations.
The procedures are not as complicated as might be suggested by the
multiple rows and columns of spreadsheet cells you saw in the slides we
just went through.
20
21
 Tools\Macro\Visual Basic Editor (VBE), then,
on the VBE menu, click Insert\Module, and
type on the Module Sheet the following
function:
15 H*cotβ
10

Function ytop(x, cotbeta, H) 0

5
β
-10 -5 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
If x < 0 Then ytop = 0
If x >= 0 And x < H * cotbeta Then ytop = x / cotbeta
If x >= H * cotbeta Then ytop = H
End Function

22
The following code will also work:
H*cotβ
15

Function ytop(x, cotbeta, H) 10

Select Case x
5
0 β
-10 -5 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Case Is < 0: ytop = 0
Case 0 To H * cotbeta: ytop = x / cotbeta
Case Is > H * cotbeta: ytop = H
End Select
End Function

Can also use nested IF functions in

spreadsheet directly.
23
Nested IF, instead of
funtion ytop( )
Syntax: IF(logical_test,value_if_true,value_if_false)

=IF(x<0, 0, IF(x>H*cotbeta, H, x/cotbeta))

24
Up to seven IF functions can be nested,
but may be hard to decipher the logic 25
To plot

• Select the three columns x, ytop, ybot

• Click the plot-chart button:
• Select x-y scatter plot
26
 Wsinα u l mα P Fm Num
33.93 2.74 3.19 0.655 24.22 43.94
86.31 7.49 2.53 0.753 118.69 66.63
118.45 11.11 2.18 0.824 174.01 80.67
137.68 14.05 1.96 0.878 212.10 90.70
141.68 15.84 1.81 0.921 230.71 95.25
134.26 16.61 1.70 0.955 234.52 95.48
123.28 17.06 1.61 0.982 235.26 94.98
⎛ 109.82
tan φ ′ ⎞
17.25 1.55 1.002 233.65 93.91
mα = cos α ⎜ 1 + tan α
94.74 17.20
⎟ 1.50 1.016 230.10 92.36

⎝ F ⎠
78.77 16.93 1.46 1.025 224.86 90.36
62.50 16.47 1.43 1.030 218.06 87.95
46.48 15.83 1.41 1.030 209.76 85.11
⎡ ⎤
P = ⎢W − (c ′l sin α − ul tan φ ′ sin α )⎥ / m
1 31.20
17.12
15.01
14.02
1.39
1.38
1.026
1.018
199.94
188.54
81.85
78.13
α
⎣ F 4.68
-5.71
12.87
11.55
1.37
1.37 ⎦
1.006
0.990
175.43
160.43
73.90
69.10

∑ [c ′l + (P − ul ) tan φ ′]
-13.61 10.07 1.38 0.971 143.28 63.65
-18.61 8.42 1.39 0.947 123.62 57.42
Fm = -20.27 6.61 1.41 0.919 100.98 50.27

∑ W sin α
-18.11
-14.71
-11.22
4.62
3.08
1.99
1.43
1.46
1.51
0.887
0.851
0.809
74.71
54.12
39.65
41.98
35.64
31.42
-4.55 0.70 1.56 0.763 20.39 25.73
1114 1626.4
Function NormalForceP(alfar, phir, F, W, cohe, L, u) As Double
malfa = Cos(alfar) * (1 + Tan(alfar) * Tan(phir) / F)
tem = cohe * L * Sin(alfar) - u * L * Tan(phir) * Sin(alfar)
NormalForceP = (W - tem / F) / malfa
End Function

⎛ tan φ ′ ⎞
mα = cos α ⎜ 1 + tan α ⎟
⎝ F ⎠
⎡ ⎤
P = ⎢W − (c ′l sin α − ul tan φ ′ sin α )⎥ / mα
1
⎣ F ⎦
∑ [c ′l + (P − ul ) tan φ ′]
Fm =
∑ W sin α
28
Insert comments into cells

29
SIN(number), COS(number),
TAN(number):
Number is the angle in radians.
If your argument is in degrees, multiply it
by PI()/180 to convert it to radians.
Example, to get sine of 30 degrees :
“=sin(30*pi()/180)

Alternative: sin(radians(degrees))
Example, to get sine of 30 degrees:
“=sin(radians(30))” 30
You can use the F4 key to cycle
between absolute, mixed, and
relative references when editing
an existing formula or enetring a
new formula. Example:

B2 $B$2 B$2 $B2

31
After opening legitimate (i.e. trustworthy) Excel file created
by you, click the “Options” button when the Security Warning
window shows up, and check “Enable this content”:

32
If the Excel workbook contains VBA codes you
created, you need to save the file as type
“Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm)”

CV4111 Tut2.xlxs

CV4111 Tut2.xlsm

33
Features of Limit Equilibrium Methods
„ Slope might fail by a mass of soil sliding on a
failure surface.
„ At failure, shear strength is fully mobilized along
the failure surface.
„ For a stable slope, shear strength is only partially
mobilized.
„ Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion:
s = cu (total stress analyses)
s = c′ + σ′tanφ′ (effective stress analyses)
„ Factor of safety:
Shear strength available
F=
Shear strength required for stability
34
Representative cross-section

Often a two-dimensional analysis is done,

although actual slip geometry could be
three-dimensional.
35
„ Selection of shear strength
‹ First-time slides, use peak strength? Critical
state shear strength is often used as a lower
bound strength.
‹ Progressive failure may occur with strain-
softening materials.
‹ Slopes with pre-existing shear surfaces: residual
shear strength parameters.
„ Possible tension cracks: zc = 2cu/γ
„ Distribution of pore pressures.
„ Pore pressure ratio ru defined by ru = u/(γz)

36
CHOICE BETWEEN TOTAL AND
EFFECTIVE STRESS ANALYSES
„ In principle, either approach could be used
to analyze any slope.
„ Effective stress analysis (using c′, φ′ and u)
more logical especially for analyzing long-
term stability.
„ For short-term stability problems, a total
stress analysis is often simpler and more
convenient . (For saturated cohesive soils:
use undrained shear strength cu, with φu = 0).
37
 A cutting excavated in clay

„ During excavation the average shear stress on a failure

surface increases while the total normal stresses decrease.
„ If the clay is saturated, the reduction of normal stresses
results in a short-term reduction of the pore pressures; the
magnitude of reduction depends on the nature of the clay:
greater for over-consolidated clays than for normally-
consolidated clays.
38
In the long term pore pressures will increase to their
equilibrium values. Results: reduction in effective stresses
and shear strength of clay, and reduction in stability of slope. 39
 On the stability of excavated slope
1. Long-term stability usually more critical. Use effective
stress analysis with equilibrium groundwater conditions.
2. If short term stability analysis is required (e.g. for a
temporary excavation), may use cu of clay and total stress
analysis. (But note that the reduced pore pressures can
increase again quickly, especially in fissured clay.)
3. If pore pressures are monitored during and after
excavation, one can assess stability using effective stress
analysis at any time.

In contrast, for problems involving loading (e.g.

foundations, embankments on soft ground);
generally the short term stability is critical.
40