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Soil Slope Stability Analysis by Circular Failure Chart method-A case study in
Bodi-Bodimettu Ghat section, Theni District, Tamil Nadu, India

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 ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 10, No. 06

DOI:10.21276/ijee.2017.10.0609
www.cafetinnova.org December 2017, P.P.1163-1167

Soil Slope Stability Analysis by Circular Failure Chart method –

A case study in Bodi- Bodimettu Ghat section, Theni District,
Tamil Nadu, India
KANNAN M1, S E SARANAATHAN2 AND ANBALAGAN R3
1
Department of Civil Engineerng Parisutham Institute of Technology and Science, Thanjavur, 613006, INDIA
2
School of Civil Engineering, SASTRA University, Thanjavur, 613401, INDIA
3
Department of Earth Sciences, IIT-Roorkee, 247667, INDIA
Email: kuna_win1@rediffmail.com, esaranathan@yahoo.co.in, anbaiitr@gmail.com

Abstract: The Bodi-Bodimettu hill slopes are characterized by presence of rocks with soil and debris materials
occupying the surface area in a number of locations. The thickness of the loose overburden materials vary from
0.5m to more than 10m. In this research more than 5 m soil slope considered as circular failure or rotational
failure was considered as a case study. The twelve soil slope sections chosen for slope stability studies along the
ghat section based on Hoek and Bray CFC conditions. The stability analysis of the soil slopes has been carried
out by using Circular Failure Chart (CFC) method which is also based on limit equilibrium method. The
collected parameters from field and experimental studies are plotted on the circular failure chart which can
ultimately indicate factor of safety for the selected conditions of water saturation. The factor of safety (FOS) of
the value is less than form CFC calculation indicates that the slope is favorably unstable condition. In this
research the outcome shows that out of twelve sections, six sections are in unstable conditions and remedial
measures are needed for those sections.
Keywords: Soil slope stability, CFC, FOS.

1. Introduction: In the ghat section, the soil stretch between 107/8 and
Many researchers has been developed various 118/8 is considered for soil slope study. Twelve soil
methodologies for soil slope stability for different slope sections are chosen according circular failure
field conditions. The soil slope stability studies are chart conditions. Three samples were collected from
generally site specific in nature on detailed scale each soil slope at different heights. The geospatial
(1:1000 to 1:2000). The soil slope stability approach, locations of this soil slope locations are shown in
the shear strength is basically described as a function figure 1.
of normal stress on the slip surface, cohesion and
internal angle of friction. It is an important property of
natural and constructed hill slope. Soil shear strength
is not a unique value, but is strongly influenced by
loading, unloading and especially by water content.
Hoek and Bray [1] introduced the circular failure
chart method for soil slope stability. This is mainly
based on slope geometry and different groundwater
conditions to compute factor of safety. Many other
researchers carried out and utilized various
approaches for calculation of factor of safety. [2] [3]
[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
In rock slope section, it is assumed that the failure is
controlled by geological features such as bedding Figure1: Soil slope location map
planes and joints which divides the rock body into
discontinuous mass. In case of soil, a strongly defined 2. Methodology:
structural pattern no longer exists and the failure 2.1 Sample collections and field parameters:
surface is free to find the line of least resistance Two types of samples were collected for laboratory
through the slope. Observations of slope failure in analysis namely surface samples and core samples.
soils suggest that this failure surface generally takes Surface samples were collected along every section
from the form of circle and most stability theories are taken up for stability analysis. A minimum of soil
based upon this observation. samples per section distributed in different segments
1.1 Study area: like upper, middle and lower were collected for that

Received: August 09, 2017; Accepted: December 21, 2017; Published: January 30, 2017
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering, 10(06), 1163-1167, 2017, DOI:10.21276/ijee.2017.10.0609
Copyright ©2017 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY. All rights reserved.
 KANNAN M, S E S ARANAATHAN AND ANBALAGAN R
purpose the top soil to a depth of 30cm is removed
and the soil obtained and numbered for proper record.
In addition undisturbed core samples were also
collected from the sub surface for different section
chosen for analysis. The collected samples were
subjected to direct shear test. Direct shear test was
conducted on these representative samples with five
different normal loads to get their corresponding shear
strength values. The values were plotted in normal
stress (x axis) – shear stress (y axis) to obtain
representative shear strength parameters. Of many
possible combinations derived from best fit lines of
shear test results, cohesion (c) and value of friction
angle () are calculated. Unit weight and density of
soil materials were collected from core samples and
grain size of soil samples were found out.
2.2 Circular Failur Chart (CFC):
.Using the above geotechnical parameters stability
evaluation of the soil slopes in terms of Factor of
Safety was carried out using the CFC [1] [11]. The
conditions under which circular failure will occur
arise when the individual particles in a soil or
weathered rock mass are very small as compared with
the size of the slope and when these particles are not
interlocked as a result of their shape.
i. The general conditions responsible for a circular
type of failure [1] are as follows:
 Unconsolidated and loose soil and debris or
highly weathered and altered rocks of
considerable thickness (generally more than
5m)
 Presence of excess water decreasing shear
strength of slope material
 Angle of slope generally more than 30o
ii. Circular type of failures generally occurs in the
following field conditions:
 Steep road cuttings, terraces, mine cut slopes
and other such cut slopes
 Heavy subsurface water seepages into
subsoil.
 Unscientifically designed retaining walls
 Places where consolidation of top soil layer
is lost because of intense deforestation.
 In the locations where the river takes acute
leading to undercutting.
 Presence of tension cracks on steep slopes.
iii. The following assumptions are made in desiring
the stability chart presented in figures.
 The material forming the slope is assumed to
be homogeneous.
 The shear strength of the materials is
characterized by a cohesion c and a friction
angle .
 Failure is assumed to occur on a circular
failure surface which passes through the toe
of the slope.
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 10, No. 06, December, 2017, pp. 1163-1167
1164
 A vertical tension crack is assumed to occur
in the upper surface or in the face of the
slope.
 The locations of the tension crack and of the
failure surface are such that the factor of
safety of the slope is a minimum for the
slope geometry and ground water condition
considered.
 A range of groundwater conditions, varying
from a dry slope to a fully saturated slope
under heavy recharge, are considered in the
analysis.
iv. Groundwater assumptions for Circular Failure
Analysis
In order to account for pore water pressure in
subsoil and forces due to water present in tension
cracks, a series of groundwater flow patterns are
assumed. For that purpose, a series of possible
field conditions have been chosen, which have
been indicated in a combined form as shown in
figure 2.
v. Production of Circular Failure Charts
The circular failure charts were produced by
means of a Hewlett-Packard 9100B calculator [1]
with graph plotting facilities. This software was
programmed to seek out the most critical
combination of failure surface and tension crack
for each of a range of slope geometries and
groundwater conditions. Provision was made for
the tension crack to be located either in upper
slope or of face of the concerned slope. The
circular failure charts were numbered 1 to 5 to
correspond with the groundwater conditions.
Figure2: Groundwater conditions chart
vi. Use of the Circular Failure Charts
In order to use the charts to determine the factor
of safety of a particular slope, the steps outlined
below and shown in figure 3 & 4 should be
followed.
Step1. Decide upon the groundwater conditions which
are believed to exist in the slope and choose the
 1165 Soil Slope Stability Analysis by Circular Failure Chart method – A case study in
Bodi- Bodimettu Ghat section, Theni District, Tamil Nadu, India
chart which is closest to these conditions, using
the figure presented on figure 2.
Step2. Calculate the value of the dimensionless ratio
c / H. Tan(1)
Find this value on the outer circular scale of the
chart.
Step3. Follow the radial line from the value found in
the step 2 to its intersection with the curve
which corresponding to the slope angle under
consideration.
Step4. Find the corresponding value of Tan/F or
c/HF, depending upon which is more
convenient, and calculate the factor of safety.
Figure3: Calculation of FOS from CFC chart
Figure4: Model CFC chart
3. Result and Discussion:
The following slope sections were selected as Circular
Failure Chart analysis. This is very easiest method to
analysis and find out factor of Safety. The Circular
Failure Chart method is proposed by Hoek and Bray
[1]. This is semi-empirical approach method. For CFC
analysis minimum laboratory testing is required. It is
mainly depend upon the groundwater condition. The
required parameters are density and shear strength of
slope debris, height of the slope and steepness of the
cut slope. These data after plotting the corresponding
circular failure chart, will give the factor of safety of
the particular slope. The following gives details about
the critical sections.
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 10, No. 06, December, 2017, pp. 1163-1167
3.1 Slope sections:
There are twelve soil slope sections was selected for
this research as per Hoek and Bray’s slope conditions.
These twelve sections are located within four zones
such as Bodimettu, Puliutthu, Mundal and
Kathupparai zone. The details of the soil slope
sections are discussed below.
3.1.1 Slope section - S1:
The soil slope section is located in Bodimettu zone.
The soil is yellowish brown in colour and indicates in-
situ nature. The wetness of the soil is mainly due to
the improper drainage condition. The inclination of
the general slope above cut face is about 25 towards
N235 direction and cut slope is inclined at 75. The
soil cross section details are discussed in table 1. The
slope is fulfilling circular failure condition. According
to the given observation, factor of safety is calculated
in different groundwater conditions i.e. dry (chart 1)
to saturated condition (chart 5). The FOS value (Table
1) is greater than one in dry to fully saturated
condition indicates that the slope is favorably stable.
3.1.2 Slope section - S2:
This soil slope section S2 is also located in Bodimettu
zone and near 15th hairpin bend. The height of the
slope section is about 8.25m. The inclination of the
general slope above cut face is about 30 towards
N340 and the cut slope is inclined at 70. The colour
of the soil is brown, and it indicates that slope is
always damp in condition. The soil cross section
details are furnished in table 1. This slope is also
fulfills the circular failure analysis condition. As per
Hoek and Bray’s [1] circular failure analysis, factor of
safety is calculated in dry to fully saturated
conditions. According to this calculation the factor of
safety (Table 1) value is greater than one indicates
that the slope is favorably stable.
3.1.3 Slope section - S3:
The soil slope section S3 is also located in Bodimettu
zone. It is already a failed section. The height of the
slope is about 8.25m. The inclination of general slope
above cut face is about 30 towards N170 direction
and cut slope is inclined at 80. The colour of the soil
is reddish in colour. The soil cross section details are
shown in table 1. This soil slope fulfills circular
failure condition. According to given observation, the
factor of safety is calculated in different groundwater
conditions i.e. dry (chart 1) and fully saturated (chart
5) condition. Factor of safety is 2 in dry condition. In
chart 5 indicates that the FOS value is 1.0 (Table 1)
indicates that the slope is favorably stable.
3.1.4 Slope section - S4:
The soil slope section S4 is also located within
Bodimettu zone. The hydrological condition of the
slope is wet and soil colour is light reddish brown.
The inclination of the general slope above cut face is
about 30 towards N185 direction and the cut slope
is inclined at 70. The soil cross section details are
 KANNAN M, S E S ARANAATHAN AND ANBALAGAN R
given in table 1. This slope fulfills the circular failure
analysis condition. As per Hoek and Bray’s [1]
circular failure analysis, factor of safety is calculated
in dry to fully saturated conditions. According to this
calculation factor of safety value is greater than one in
dry condition indicates that the slope is stable in
nature. The FOS (Table 1) value 1.45 indicates that
the slope is critical stable.
3.1.5 Slope section - S5:
The soil slope section S5 is located in Puliuttu zone.
The soil is yellowish brown in colour and indicates in-
situ nature and always in damp condition. The
inclination of general slope above cut face is about
32 in N275direction and the cut slope is inclined at
65. The soil cross section details are presented in
table 1. The slope fulfills circular failure condition.
According to the given observation, the factor of
safety is calculated for dry (chart 1) and fully
saturated (chart 5) condition. Hence, the factor of
safety has been calculated using circular failure chart
method, the FOS value indicates that the slope is
critical stable (Table 1).
3.1.6 Slope section - S6:
This soil slope section S6 is also located in Puliuttu
zone and is near to 10th hairpin bend. The soil section
is wet in condition and colour of the soil is dark
brown. The inclination of general slope above cut face
is about 26 towards N120 direction and cut slope is
inclined at 65. The soil cross section details are
shown in table 1. The slope fulfills circular failure
condition. Using above said parameters, the factor of
safety was calculated in different groundwater
conditions i.e. dry (chart 1) to fully saturated (chart 5)
condition. It comes under irrigated area and frequent
slides are occurred during recent years. In chart 5
conditions the FOS value is 1.0 indicates that the
slope is unstable (Table 1).
3.1.7 Slope section - S7:
The soil slope section S7 is located in Puliuttu zone.
The soil is yellowish brown in colour indicating in-
situ nature. The inclination of the general slope above
cur face is about 33towards N270direction and cut
slope is inclined at 65. The soil cross section details
are given in table 1. The slope fulfills circular failure
condition. According to the given observation, the
factor of safety is calculated in different groundwater
conditions i.e. dry (chart 1) to fully saturated (chart 5)
condition. Hence, the factor of safety has been
calculated by Hoek and Bray’s [1] CFC analysis for
this soil slope. The FOS value is around 1.0 indicates
that the slope is unstable in nature (Table 1).
3.1.8 Slope section - S8:
This soil slope section S8 is located within
Kathupparai. The height of the slope is about 16m.
The inclination of the general slope above cut face is
about 32 towards N298direction and the cut slope
is inclined at 60. The soil section details are
presented in table 1. This is also fulfills he circular
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 10, No. 06, December, 2017, pp. 1163-1167
1166
failure analysis. According to the given observation,
the factor of safety is calculated in different
groundwater conditions i.e. dry (chart 1) to fully
saturated (chart 5) condition. In chart 1 to chart 4, the
factor of safety value is greater than one indicates
critical stable. In fully saturated conditions (Chart 5)
the FOS value is 0.95 indicates that the slope is
unstable (Table 1).
3.1.9 Slope section - S9:
This soil slope section S9 is also located in
Kathupparai zone. The height of the slope is about
35m. The inclination of the general slope above cut
face is about 34 towards N350 and cut slope is
inclined at 64. The soil cross section details are
discussed in table 1. This slope is more suitable for
Hoek and Bray’s circular failure analysis. Hence, the
factor of safety has been calculated (Table 1) using
Hoek and Bray circular failure chart method. The
FOS value is less than one indicates that the slope is
favorably unstable.
3.1.10 Slope section - S10:
This soil slope section S10 is located within
Kathupparai zone. The height of the slope is about
17m. The inclination of the general slope above cut
face is about 27 towards N170direction and cut
slope is inclined at 78. The soil section details are
presented in table 1. This soil slope fulfills the circular
failure analysis. The data taken for this analysis are
as follows:
As per Hoek and Bray [1] circular failure chart
method the factor of safety value is less than one
indicates that the slope is unstable condition. The
factor of safety details are given in table 1.
3.1.11 Slope section - S11:
This soil slope section S11 is also located in
Kathupparai zone. The height of the slope is about
15.50m. The inclination of the general slope above cut
face is about 34 towards N310and the cut slope is
inclined at 69. The detailed soil section is presented
in table 1. This soil slope fulfills the circular failure
condition. For circular failure analysis, the following
data are taken.
Based on the observation in field and data for circular
failure, all conditions are taken i.e. chart 1 to 5. The
tensional cracks are present above S23 section.
Hence, the factor of safety has been calculated (Table
1) by Hoek and Bray [1] circular failure chart method
for this slope. The FOS value indicates that the slope
favorably unstable.
3.1.12 Slope section - S12:
The soil slope section S12 is also located in
Kathupparai zone and near to 5th hairpin bend. The
height of the slope is about 12m. The inclination of
the general slope above cut face is about 68 towards
N340 and the cut slope is inclined at 68. The soil
section details are presented in table 1. This soil slope
fulfills the circular failure analysis. The data taken for
 1167 Soil Slope Stability Analysis by Circular Failure Chart method – A case study in
Bodi- Bodimettu Ghat section, Theni District, Tamil Nadu, India

this analysis are as follow. Hence, the factor of safety The Highways Department, Theni district has
has been calculated using Hoek and Bray [1] circular provided the critical locations and cooperates with us.
failure chart method for this slope. The factor of
References:
safety details are given in table 1. The factor of safety
value is less than one indicates that the slope is [1] Hoek E, Bray JW, “Rock slope Engineering”,
favorably unstable condition. The template is Published by E & FN Spon, and imprint of
designed so that author affiliations are not repeated Chapman & Hall, London, UK 1981, p. 357.
each time for multiple authors of the same affiliation. [2] Lowe J, Karafath RC, “Stability of Earth Dam
Please keep your affiliations as succinct as possible upon drawdow”, Proceeding of the First Pan
(for example, do not differentiate among departments American, Mexico City 1960, pp.537-552.
of the same organization). This template was designed [3] Baker R, Garber M, “Discussion of On slip
for two affiliations. Surface and Slope Stability Analysis by Chen
WF, and Snitbham NS.”, Soils and Foundations ,
4. Conclusion:
1977, vol. 17(1), pp.65-68.
Based on the outcome of circular failure chart [4] Castilla E, Revilla J, “The calculus of variations
method, the vulnerable soil section map has derived and the stability of slopes”, The proceedings of
(figure 6). The study shows that the soil sections S7, Ninth International conference on Soil Mechanics
S8, S9, S10, S11 and S12 coming under the less than and Foundation Engineering, Tokyo 1977; vol.2;
one in different groundwater conditions. It is pp.225-230.
vulnerable to slide in heavy monsoon. Suitable [5] Makshimovic M, “Limit Equilibrium for Non-
remedial measures are to be adopted for these critical linear failure envelope and arbitray slip surfaces”.
slopes. Third International conference on Numerical
Methods in Geomechanic Aachen, 1979. Vo. 99,
pp. 769-777.
[6] Luceno A, Castella E, “Evaluation of variational
methods in slope analysis”. Proceedings of
International Symposium on Landslides New
Delhi, 1980, vol.1, pp. 255-258.
[7] Azzorz AS, Baligh MM, Ladd CC, “Three
dimensional stability analyses of four
embankment failures”. Proceedings of thenth
International Conference on Soil Mechanics and
Foundation Engineering Stockholm, 1981, vol.3,
pp. 343-346.
[8] Fan K, “Evaluation of Interslice side Forces for
Lateral Earth force and slope stability problems”.
M.Sc Thesis, University of stockholm,
Figure 6: Vulnerable Soil Section map Saskatoon, Canada, 1983.
[9] Ranjan G, Rao ASR, “Basic and applied Soil
Table1: Soil slope section details
Mechanics, New Age International (P) Limited,
Soil Slope Height of
Unit weight Unit weight Cohesion Angle of
of soil of water Factor of Safey (CFC) Publishers, New Delhi, 2002,
Northing Easting of friction
Section angle slope (m)
(kN/m3) ((kN/m3) soil (kPa) () Chart 1 Chart 2 Chart 3 Chart 4 Chart 5 [10] Chakroborthy D, Anbalagan R, Kohli A, “An
S1 10°01’08.731” 77°15’49.012” 75° 4.25 15.88 9.81 20 34° 1.770 1.740 1.705 1.615 1.545 engineering geological appraisal of slope stability
S2 10°01'06.845" 77°15'58.548" 70° 8.25 15.86 9.81 30 38° 1.895 1.880 1.795 1.680 1.525
S3 10°01’10.570” 77°16’01.119” 80° 8.25 12.42 9.81 27.5 34° 1.225 1.175 1.160 1.085 1.075 condition at D.S.B college site on Ayarpatta hills
S4 10°01’10.570” 77°16’01.119” 70° 7.75 13.84 9.81 25 34° 1.680 1.675 1.580 1.525 1.445 in Nanital, Uttarkhand”. Landslide Management-
S5 10°01’40.022” 77°15’58.822” 65° 10.5 16.67 9.81 24.375 38° 1.470 1.435 1.360 1.280 1.175
S6 10°01’47.802” 77°16’00.851” 65° 12.25 16.22 9.81 23.75 36° 1.315 1.300 1.220 1.135 1.025 Present scenario & future directions: CBRI
S7 10°02’00.657” 77°15’56.115” 65° 28 16.49 9.81 33.75 36° 1.040 1.015 0.970 0.880 0.770 Roorkee, 2008, pp. 157-166.
S8 10°02'11.144" 77°16'20.979" 68° 16 18.17 9.81 22.5 39° 1.270 1.220 1.145 1.055 0.925
S9 10°02'12.666" 77°16'24.531" 64° 35 18.17 9.81 32.917 38° 0.965 0.930 0.885 0.810 0.675 [11] Anbalagan R, Chakroborthy D, Kohli A,
S10
S11
10°02'09.114"
10°02'06.577"
77°16'38.323"
77°16'22.067"
78°
69°
17
15.5
18.17
18.17
9.81
9.81
20.417
23.33
38°
38°
0.785
1.075
0.775
1.055
0.735
1.005
0.685
0.925
0.505
0.805
“Landslide Hazard Zonation (LHZ) mapping on
S12 10°01'59.981" 77°16'42.967" 68° 12 18.17 9.81 10.62 42° 0.915 0.910 0.865 0.770 0.629 meso-scale for systematic town planning in
mountainous terrain”. Journal of Scientifi0063
Acknowledgment: and Industrial Research, 2008, vol.67, pp. 486-
The TNSCST (Tamil Nadu State Council for Science 497.
and Technology) has financially supported this work.

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering

ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 10, No. 06, December, 2017, pp. 1163-1167

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