Soil Mechanics-II Slope Stability

CHAPTER FOUR
SLOPE STABILITY
4.0 Introduction
The term slope as used in here refers to any natural or man-made earth mass, whose
surface forms an angle with the horizontal. Hills and mountains, river banks, etc. are
common examples of natural slopes. Examples of man-made slopes include fills, such
as embankments, earth dams, levees; or cuts, such as highway and railway cuts, canal
banks, foundations excavations and trenches. Natural forces (wind, rain, earthquake,
etc.) change the natural topography often creating unstable slopes. Failure of natural
slopes (landslides) and man-made slopes have resulted in much death and destruction.

In assessing the stability of slopes, geotechnical engineers have to pay particular

attention to geology, drainage, groundwater, and the shear strength of the soils. The
most common slope stability analysis methods are based on simplifying assumptions
and the design of a stable slope relies heavily on experience and careful site
investigation. In this chapter, we will examine the stability of earth slopes in two
dimensional space using limit equilibrium methods.

4.1 Types of Slope Failure

Slope failures depend on the soil type, soil stratification, groundwater, seepage, and the
slope geometry. A few types of slope failure are shown in Figure 4.1.
• Translational slide is failure of a slope along a weak zone of soil (Fig.4.1a).
Translational slides are common in coarse-grained soils.
• Rotational slide is common type of failure in homogeneous fine-grained soils.
Three types of rotational slides often occur which are;
 Base slide: - occurs when the failure surface encloses the whole slope. A
soft soil layer resting on a stiff layer of soil is prone to base failure
(Fig.4.1b).
 Toe slide: - occurs when the failure surface passes through the toe of the
slope (Fig.4.1c).
 Slope slide: - occurs when the failure surface passes through the slope
(Fig.4.1d).
• Flow slide occurs when internal and external conditions force a soil to behave
like a viscous fluid and flow down even shallow slopes, spreading out in several
directions (Fig.4.1e).

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Figure 4.1: Some types of slope failure (Budhu, pp. 524)

4.2 Causes of Slope Failure

Slope failures are caused in general by natural forces, human mismanagement and
activities. Some of the main factors that provoke failure are summarised in Figure 4.2
below.
As shown in Fig.4.2, some of the most common causes of slope failures are erosion,
rainfall, earthquake, geological features, external loading, construction activities (e.g.
excavation & fill), and reservoir rapid drawdown.

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Figure 4.2: Some causes of slope failure (Budhu, pp. 526)

4.3 Slope Stability Analysis

Slope stability analyses aim for deriving a factor of safety. The factor of safety of a
slope is defined as the ratio of the available shear strength, τf, to the minimum shear
strength required to maintain stability (which is equal to the mobilized shear stress on
the failure surface), τm, which is:

τf
FS =
τm (4.1)
The stability of slopes can be analysed using; the limit equilibrium method, finite
difference method, and finite element method. Limit equilibrium is the most widely
used method for stability analysis. In the following sections, we will learn some of the
commonly used slope stability analysis methods that are based on the limit equilibrium
method.
Limit equilibrium methods assumes that when a slope fails, a soil mass is sliding on a
failure surface. At failure, soil strength is fully mobilized along the failure surface. At
the same time, the sliding mass is in static equilibrium.

4.4 Stability of Infinite Slopes

Infinite slopes are slopes whose dimensions extend over great distances. In practice, the
infinite slope mechanism is applied to the case when a soft material of very long length
with constant slope may slide on a hard material (e.g. rock) having the same slope. Let’s
consider a clean, homogeneous soil of infinite slope αs as shown in Figure 4.3.

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To use limit equilibrium method, we must first speculate on a failure or slip

mechanism. We will assume the slip would occur on a plane parallel to the slope. If we
consider a slice of soil between the surface of the soil and the slip plane, we can draw a
free-body diagram of the slice as shown in Figure 4.3.

Figure 4.3: Forces on a slice of soil in an infinite slope.

The forces acting on the slice per unit thickness are the weight W = γbz, the shear forces
Xj and Xj+1on the sides, the normal forces Ej and Ej+1 on the sides, the normal force N on
the slip plane and the mobilized shear resistance of the soil, T, on the slip plane. We will
assume that forces that provoke failure are positive. If seepage is present, seepage force
Js = iγwbz develops, where i is the hydraulic gradient. For a uniform slope of infinite
extent, Xj = Xj+1 and Ej = Ej+1. To continue with the limit equilibrium method, we must
now use the equilibrium equations to solve the problem for different cases.

4.4.1 Stability of Infinite Slopes in ∅u=0, cu soil

For ∅u =0, cu soil, the Mohr-Coulomb shear strength is given by:

τ f = cu (4.2)
From statics and using Figure 4.3,

N = W cos α s and T = W sin α s (4.3)

The shear stress per unit length on the slip plane is given by:
T W sin α s cos α s γbz
τm = = = sin α s cos α s = γz sin α s cos α s
l b b (4.4)
The factor of safety is then,
cu 2cu
FS = =
γz sin α s cos α s γz sin(2α s ) (4.5)
At limit equilibrium, FS = 1. Therefore, the critical slope is

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α c = 12 sin −1 (2cu γz )
(4.6)
and the critical depth is:
2cu
zc =
γ sin(2α s ) (4.7)
4.4.2 Stability of Infinite Slopes in c-∅soil – with no seepage
For a c’,φ’ soil, the Mohr-Coulomb shear strength is given by:

t φ = c' + σ n' tan φ ' (4.8)

The factor of safety FS is then:

c' + σ n' τan φ ' c' σ n' τan φ '

FS = = +
τm τm τm (4.9)

The normal and shear stresses per unit length at the failure plane in reference to figure
4.3 are given by:
N T
σ 'n = τm =
l and l (4.10)
For a slope without seepage, Js=0. From Eqns. (4.4, 4.9 and 4.10) we get:

c' W ' cos α s tαn φ ' c' tαn φ '

FS = + = +
γz sin α s cos α s W sin α s γz sin α s cos α s tαn α s (4.11)
At limit equilibrium FS = 1. Therefore, the critical depth zc is given by

c'  sec 2 a s 
z c =  
γ  tan a s − tan φ ' 
(4.12)
For the case where αs < φ’, the factor of safety is always greater than 1 and is computed
from Eqn. (4.11). This means that there is no limiting value for the depth z, and at an
infinite depth, the factor of safety approaches to tanφ’/tanαs. For a coarse-grained soil
with c’ = 0, Eqn. (4.6) becomes:
tαn φ '
FS =
tαn α s (4.13)
At limit equilibrium FS = 1. Therefore, the critical slope angle is:

αc = φ' (4.14)

The implication of Eqn. (4.14) is that the maximum slope angle of a coarse-grained soil
with c’ = 0, can not exceed φ’. In other words, the case c’ = 0 and αs > φ’ is always
unstable and can’t be applied to practical situations.

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4.4.3 Stability of Infinite Slopes in c-∅soil – steady state seepage

We will now consider groundwater at the ground surface and assume that seepage is
parallel to the slope. The seepage force is:
J s = iγ w bz
Since seepage is parallel to the slope, i=sinα. From statics,

N ' = W ' cos α s = γ ' bz cos α s (4.15)

And
T = W ' sin a s + J s
= γ ' bz sin a s + γ w bz sin a s = (γ '+γ w )bz sin a s
= γ sat bz sin a s (4.16)
Therefore, the shear stress at the slip plane is:
T γ sat bz sin a s cos a s
tm = = = γ sat z sin a s cos a s
l b
From the definition of factor of safety (Eqn. 4.3), we get:
c' γ ' bz cos a s tan φ '
FS = +
γ sat z sin a s cos a s γ sat zb cos a s tan a s
c' γ ' tan φ '
= + ⋅
γ sat z sin a s cos a s γ sat tan a s (4.17)
At limit equilibrium, FS=1. Therefore, the critical height is:
c' csc 2 a s
zc =
γ tan a s − γ ' tan φ '
At infinite depth the factor of safety in Eqn. (4.17) becomes:
γ ' tan φ '
FS = ⋅
γ sat tan a s (4.18)
Eqn. (4.18) can also be used for calculating the factor of safety for a coarse-grained soil
with c’ = 0. At limit equilibrium FS = 1, and hence, the critical slope for a
coarse-grained soil with c’ = 0 is given by:
γ'
tan a s = tan φ '
γ sat
For most soils, γ’/γsat ≈0.5. Thus, seepage parallel to the slope reduces the limiting slope
of a clean, coarse-grained soil by about one-half.
If the groundwater level is not at the ground surface, weighted average unit weights
have to be used in the above equations.

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4.5 Rotational Slope Failure

In many practical problems slopes have been observed to fail through a rotational
mechanism of finite extent. As shown in Fig. (4.1), rotational failure mechanism
involves the failure of a soil mass on a circular or non-circular failure surface. In the
following sections, we will continue to use the limit equilibrium method assuming a
circular slip surface.

4.5.1 Stability of Slopes in cu, ∅u=0 soil – Circular Failure Surface

The simplest circular analysis is based on the assumption that a rigid, cylindrical block
will fail by rotation about its center and that the shear strength along the failure surface
is defined by the undrained strength cu. Figure 4.4 shows a slope having a height H and
angle αs. The trial circular failure surface is defined by its center C, radius R and central
angle θ.

Figure 4.4: Slope failure in cu, ∅u=0.

The weight of the sliding block acts at a distance d from the center. Taking moments of
the forces about the center of the circular arc, we have:
cu LR cu R 2θ 0 π
FS = = ×
Wd Wd 180 0 (4.19)
Where L is the length of the circular arc, W is the weight of the sliding mass and d is the
horizontal distance between the circle center, C, and the centroid of the sliding mass. If
cu varies along the failure surface then:

R 2 (cu1θ1 + cu 2θ 2 + ... + cunθ n ) π

0 0 0
FS = ×
Wd 180 0 (4.20)

The centroid of the sliding mass is obtained using a mathematical procedure based on
the geometry or the sub-division of the sliding mass into narrow vertical slices.

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4.5.2 Effect of Tension Cracks

Tension cracks may develop from the upper ground surface to a depth z that can be
estimated as discussed in chapter 3. The effect of the tension crack can be taken into
account by assuming that the trial failure surface terminates at the depth z, thereby
reducing the weight W and central angle θ. Any external water pressure in the crack
creates a horizontal force that must be included in equilibrium considerations.

4.5.3 Stability of Slopes in c’, φ’ soil – Method of Slices.

The stability of a slope in a c’, φ’ soil is usually analysed by discretizing the mass of the
failure slope into smaller slices and treating each individual slice as a unique sliding
block (Fig. 4.5). This technique is called the method of slices.

Figure 4.5: Slice discretization and slice forces in a sliding mass.

In the method of slices, the soil mass above a trial failure circle is divided into a series
of vertical slices of width b as shown in Fig. 4.6 (a). For each slice, its base is assumed
to be a straight line defined by its angle of inclination θ with the horizontal whereas its
height h is measured along the centerline of the slice.

Figure 4.6: a) Method of slices in c’, φ ' soil, b) Forces acting on a slice.

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The forces acting on a slice shown in Fig. 4.6 (b) are:

W = total weight of the slice = γ×h×b
N = total normal force at the base = N’ + U, where N’ is the effective total
normal force and U = ul is the force due to the pore water pressure at the
midpoint of the base length l.
T = the mobilized shear force at the base = τ m × l , where τ m is the minimum
shear stress required to maintain equilibrium and is equal to the shear strength
divided by the factor of safety: τ m = τ f FS .
X1, X2 = shear forces on sides of the slice and E1, E2 = normal forces on sides
the slice. The sum of the moments of the inter-slice or side forces about the
centre C is zero.
Thus, for moment equilibrium about the centre C (note the normal forces pass through
the centre):
i =n i =n i =n (τ f l ) i i =n

∑ Ti R = R∑ (τ m l ) = R∑
i =1 i =1 i =1 FS
= ∑ (W sin θ ) R
i =1
i
(4.21)
Where n is the total number of slices. Replacing τ f by the Mohr-Coulomb shear
strength, we obtain:

∑ [(c'+s ]
i=n i =n
'
n tan φ ' )l i ∑ [(c' l + N ' tan φ ' )] i
FS = i =1
i=n
= i =1
i =n

∑ (W sin θ ) i
i =1
∑ (W sin θ )
i =1
i
(4.22)
The term c’l may be replaced by c'b / cos θ . For uniform c’, the algebraic summation
of c’l is replaced by c’L, where L is the length of the circular arc. The values of N’ must
be determined from the force equilibrium equations. However, this problem is
statically indeterminate – because we have six unknown variables for each slice but
only three equilibrium equations. Therefore some simplifying assumptions have to be
made. In this chapter two common methods that apply different simplifying methods
will be discussed. These methods are called the Fellenius method and Bishop simplified
method.

4.5.3.1 Fellenius or Ordinary Swedish Method

The ordinary Swedish method of slices was introduced by Fellenius (1936). This
method assumes that for each slice, the inter-slice forces X1=X2 and E1=E2. Based on
this assumption and from statics, the forces normal to each slice are given by:

N = W cos θ = N ' + ul ⇒ N ' = W cos θ − ul (4.23)

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Substituting N’ into Eqn. 4.22, we obtain:

i =n

∑ [(c' l + (W cosθ − ul ) tan φ ' )] i

FS = i =1
i =n

∑ (W sin θ )
i =1
i
(4.24)
For convenience, the force due to pore water is expressed as a function of W:
ub
ru = i i
Wi (4.25)
Where ru is called the pore water pressure ratio. Consequently, we have:
i =n

∑ [(c' l + W (cosθ − r u sec θ ) tan φ ' )]i

FS = i =1
i =n

∑ (W sin θ )
i =1
i
(4.26)
The term ru is dimensionless because the term ub = γ w × hw × b × 1 represents the
weight of water with a volume of hw × b × 1 . Furthermore, ru can be simplified as
follows:
ub γ w hw b γ w hw
ru = = =
W γhb γh (4.27)
In the case of the steady state seepage the height of water above the midpoint of the
base is obtained by constructing the flow net. Alternatively, an average value of ru may
be assumed for the slope. By doing so it is assumed that the height of water above the
base of each slice is a constant fraction of the height of each slice. If the height of the
water and the average height of the slice are equal, the maximum value of ru becomes
γ w γ , which for most soils, is approximately 0.5. Note that the effective normal force
N’ acting on the base is equal to N ' = W cos θ − ul or N ' = W (cos θ − ru sec θ ) . If the
term (cos θ − ru sec θ ) is negative, N’ is set to zero because effective stress can not be
less than zero (i.e. soil has no tension strength).
The whole procedure explained above must be repeated for a number of trial circles
until the minimum factor of safety corresponding to the critical circle is determined.
The accuracy of the predictions depends on the number of slices, position of the critical
surface, and the magnitude of ru. There are several techniques that are used to reduce
the number of trial slip surfaces. One simple technique is to draw a grid and selectively
use the nodal points as centers of rotation.

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4.5.3.2 Bishop Simplified Method

This method assumes that for each slice X1=X2 but E1 ≠ E2. These assumptions are
considered to make this method more accurate than the Swedish method. An increase of
5% to 20% in the factor of safety over the Swedish method is usually obtained.
Referring to Figure 4.6 b, and writing the force equilibrium in vertical direction (in
order to eliminate E1 and E2), the following equation for N’ can be found:
c' l sin θ
W − ul cos θ −
N' = FS
sin θ tan φ '
cos θ +
FS (4.28)
In addition to the force in the vertical direction, Bishop Simplified method also satisfies
the overall moment equilibrium about the center of the circle as expressed in Eqn. (4.22).
Putting l = b / cos θ and ub = ruW , and substituting Eqn. (4.28) into Eqn. (4.22), we
obtain:
1 i =n
 c' b + W (1 − ru ) tan φ ' 
FS = i =n ∑
i =1 

i
∑ (W sin θ )
mθ
i
i =1 (4.29)
Where,
sin θ tan φ '
mθ = cos θ +
FS (4.30)
Equation (4.30) is non-linear in FS (that is FS appears on both sides of the equations)
and is solved by iteration. An initial value of FS is guessed (slightly greater than FS
obtained by Fellenius’ method) and substituted to Eqn. (4.30) to compute a new value
for FS. This procedure is repeated until the difference between the assumed and
computed values is negligible. Convergence is normally rapid and only a few iterations
are required. The procedure is repeated for number of trial circles to locate the critical
failure surface with the lowest factor of safety.

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4.6 Stability Charts

Slope stability charts provide a means for rapid analysis of slope stability. They can be
used for preliminary analysis, for checking detailed analyses, or for complete analyses.
They are especially useful for making comparisons between design alternatives, because
they provide answers so quickly. The following, chart solutions are presented for four
types of slopes:
1. Slopes in soils with φ = 0 and uniform shear strength throughout the depth of the
soil layer.
2. Slopes in soils with φ = 0 and uniform shear strength throughout the depth of the
soil layer.
3. Infinite slopes in soils with φ > 0.
4. Slopes in soils with φ = 0 and shear strength increasing linearly with depth.

For simplicity, charts are developed for simple homogeneous soil conditions. To use
them to non-homogeneous conditions, it is necessary to approximate the real conditions
with an equivalent homogeneous slope.

To average c & φ for chart analysis, it is useful to know the location of the critical slip
surface, The charts provide a means of estimating the position of the critical circle.
Averaged strength values are calculated by drawing the critical circle on the slope. Then
the central angle of arc subtended within each layer i or zone of soil is measured with a
protractor. The central angles βi are used as weighting factors to calculate weighted
average strength parameters, cavg and φavg using:

cavg =
∑β c
i i
φavg = ∑
β iφi
∑β i ∑ βi (4.31)
A situation where it is not advised to use the above equation is an embankment with
φ > 0 overlying a weak foundation of saturated clay, with φ = 0. Averaging would lead
to φavg > 0 and so the chart for slopes in soils with φ > 0 and c > 0 is to be used that
assumes circles to pass through the toe. However, with φavg = 0 foundation soils, the
critical circle usually goes below the toe into the foundation. Therefore, it is better to
use the chart for slopes in soils with φ = 0. The shear strength contribution from the
embankment can be added to the averaged cu-value using;

cu avg =
∑β c
i ui

∑β i
(4.32)

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To average unit weights γi for use in chart analysis, it is usually sufficient to use layer
thickness hi as a weighting factor, as indicated by the following expression:

g avg = ∑
g i hi
∑h i
(4.33)
Unit weights should be averaged only to the depth of the bottom of the critical circle. If
the soil below the toe has φ = 0, the unit weight should be averaged only down to the
toe, since the unit weight of the soil below the toe has no effect on stability in this case.

4.6.1 Stability charts for slopes in soils with φ = 0

The slope stability chart for φ = 0 soils, developed by Janbu (1968), is shown in chart-1.
Charts providing adjustment factors for surcharge loading are shown in chart-2.
Charts providing adjustment factors for submergence and seepage are shown in chart-3.
Charts providing adjustment factors to account for tension cracks are shown in chart-4
For slopes in soils with φ = 0, follow these steps.

Step-1:- Decide whether the critical circle a slope circle, toe circle or deep circle. For
uniform soil conditions, the critical circle passes through the toe of the slope if the slope
is steeper than 1:1. For flatter slopes, the critical circle usually extends below the toe,
and is tangent to some deep firm layer. The chart provided can be used to compute
factors of safety for circles extending to any depth. Multiple possibilities should be
analyzed, to be sure that the overall critical circle and overall minimum factor of safety
have been found. Note that critical circles are often tangents to boundaries between
different soil layers and if there is water outside, a circle passing above the water may
be critical.

Step-2:- Calculate the dimensionless depth factor d using;

D
d=
H (4.34)
Where D is the depth from the toe of the slope to the lowest point on the slip circle and
H is slope height above the toe of the slope. The value d is assumed 0 if the circle does
not pass below the toe of the slope. If the circle is entirely above the toe, its point of
interaction with the slope should be taken as an adjusted toe, and all dimensions like D,
H, Hw and must be adjusted accordingly in the calculations.

Step-3:- Find the center of the critical slope from chart-1 and determine the average
value of the strength as discussed above.

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Step-4:- Calculate the quantity Pd using;

γH + q − γ w H w
Pd =
µ q µ w µt
(4.35)

Where γ is the average unit weight of soil, H is the slope height above toe, q is a
surcharge, γw is unit weight of water, Hw is the external water level above toe, and μq, μw,
and μt give adjustment factors for surcharge (chart-2), submergence (chart-3) and
tension cracks (chart-4), respectively. Set μq = 1 for no surcharge, μw = 1 if there is no
external water above the toe, and μt = 1 if there are no tension cracks.

Step-5:- Using the chart at the top of chart-1, determine stability number N0, which
depends on the slope angle β and the value of d.

Step-6:- Calculate the factor of safety using;

N o cu avg
F=
Pd (4.36)

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Chart-1:- Slope stability charts for ϕ = 0 soils (after Janbu 1968)

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Chart-2:- Surcharge adjustment factors for ϕ = 0 and ϕ > 0 soils (after Janbu 1968)

Chart-3:- Submergence & seepage adjustment factors for ϕ = 0 and ϕ > 0 soils (Janbu)

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Chart-4:- Tension crack adjustment factors for ϕ = 0 and ϕ > 0 soils (after Janbu 1968)

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4.6.2 Stability charts for slopes in soils with φ > 0

The slope stability chart for slopes in soils with ϕ > 0 and uniform shear strength
throughout the depth of the soil layer is shown in chart-5. This chart can be used for
effective stress and total stress analysis. The adjustment factors presented in charts 2, 3
and.4 can also be used for ϕ > 0 soils.
For slopes in soils with φ > 0, follow these steps.

Step-1:- Estimate the location of the critical circle. For most conditions of slopes in
uniform soils with ϕ > 0, the critical circle passes through the toe of the slope. The
stability numbers given in chart-5 were developed by analyzing toe circles. In cases
where c = 0, the critical mechanism is shallow sliding, which can be analyzed as the
infinite slope failure mechanism. If there is water outside of the slope, a circle passing
above the water may be critical. In layered soils, the critical circle may be tangent to one
of the layers.
Step-2:- Calculate Pd using equation 4.35. If the circle being studied passes above the
toe of the slope, the point where the circle intersects the slope face should be taken as
the toe in the calculation.
Step-3:- Calculate Pe using;

γH + q − γ w H w′
Pe =
µ q µ w′
(4.37)

Where Hʹw is the average level of the piezometric surface within the slope and μʹw is the
seepage correction factor given in chart-3. For steady seepage condition Hʹw is related to
the phreatic surface as shown in chart-6. If the circle being studied passes above the toe
of the slope, Hʹw is measured relative to the adjusted toe. In a total stress analysis use
Hʹw = 0 and μʹw = 1.
Step-4:- Calculate the dimensionless parameter λcϕ using;

Pe tan φ
λcφ =
c
(4.38)

Step-5:- Using the chart at the right side of chart-5, determine the center coordinates of
the critical circle. Determine λcϕ and iterate until it becomes a stable value.
Step-6:- Using the chart at the left hand side of chart-5, determine the value of the
stability number Ncf , which depends on the slope angle β and λcϕ.
Step-7:- Calculate the factor of safety using;

N cf c
F=
Pd
(4.39)

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Chart-5:- Slope stability chart for ϕ > 0 soils (according to Janbu 1968)

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Chart-6:- Steady seepage adjustment factor ϕ > 0 soils (according to Duncan et al.)

4.6.3 Stability charts for infinite slopes in soils with φ > 0

The slope stability chart for infinite soils, developed by Duncan et al. (1987), is shown
in chart-7. The steps are given inside the chart with explanation.

4.6.4 Stability chart for slopes with ϕ = 0 and c increasing linearly with depth.
The chart for slopes in soils with ϕ = 0 and shear strength increasing linearly with depth
is shown in chart-8. The steps are given inside the chart with explanation.

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Chart-7:- Slope stability charts for infinite slopes (according to Duncan et al. 1987)

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Chart-8:- Stability chart for ϕ = 0 soils, with c increasing with depth.

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Soil Mechanics-II Slope Stability

EXAMPLE-1
A long natural slope inclined at 25o to the horizontal is resting on a rock formation
having the same inclination. The height of the slope is 3.2m. The soil has c’=12KPa,
∅’=20o and γ=17.5KN/m3. Determine
A) The shear stress developed on the sliding surface.
B) The factor of safety.
C) The critical height.

EXAMPLE-2
A long slope 4.5 m deep is to be constructed using a soil with: c’=10KPa, ∅’=32o and
γ=17KN/m3, γsat=20KN/m3. The slope is inclined at 20o. Determine the factor of safety
if;
A) The slope is dry.
B) The water table is at the ground surface.
C) There is seepage parallel to the ground with the water level 2.5m below the
ground.

EXAMPLE-3
The figure below shows a clay slope along with a trial slip surface. The soil has
cu=50KPa, ∅u=0o. Determine the factor of safety if the weight of the wedge is 2500KN.

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Soil Mechanics-II Slope Stability

EXAMPLE-4
The height of a clay slope is 14m and has a slope of 1:1. The soil has cu=40KPa, ∅u=0o
and γ=18KN/m3. For the trial slip surface shown below;
A) Determine the factor of safety if there is no surcharge load.
B) Determine the maximum surcharge load that will cause the failure of the slope.
(Note that the centroid of the sliding wedge is shown)

EXAMPLE-5
An excavation in a clay soil is 12m high and has a slope of 1V:2H. The soil has
cu=50KPa, ∅u=0o and γ=20KN/m3. For the trial slip surface shown below, determine the
factor of safety using the Swedish circle method (the slices are shown in the figure).
What will be the factor of safety if a surcharge load of 30KN/m2 is applied at the top of
the slope (starting from B towards D).

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Soil Mechanics-II Slope Stability

Solution
i =n

∑ c' l c' L
Since φ=0 FS = i =n
i =1
= i =n

∑ (W sin θ ) ∑ (W sin θ )
i =1
i
i =1
i

X
θ = sin −1   where X is the coordinate of the center of the slice from C
R
Slice b (m) h (m) W (KN) X (m) θ (o) W*sinθ
1 6 2.78 333.6 -9 -19.6 -112.03
2 6 7.16 859.2 -3 -6.4 -96.18
3 6 10.16 1219.2 3 6.4 136.48
4 6 11.78 1413.6 9 19.6 474.72
5 6 10.25 1230 15 34.0 688.43
6 6 4.7 564 21 51.6 441.94
1533.36
 12   24 
β = β1 + β 2 β1 = tan −1   = 26.56
o
β 2 = tan −1   = 63.44 β = 26.56 + 63.44 = 90
o o

 
24  
12
π π 50 * 42.1
L = Rβ * = 26.8 * 90 * = 42.1m FS = = 1.37
180 180 1533.36
If a surcharge load of 30KN/m2 is applied at the crest, it will only affect the slices under
the load, in this case slice 4 and 5. The calculation is shown below.

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Soil Mechanics-II Slope Stability

Slice b (m) h (m) W (KN) q*b W+q*b X (m) θ (o) (W+q*b)*sinθ

1 6 2.78 333.6 0 333.6 -9 -19.6 -112.03
2 6 7.16 859.2 0 859.2 -3 -6.4 -96.18
3 6 10.16 1219.2 0 1219.2 3 6.4 136.48
4 6 11.78 1413.6 0 1413.6 9 19.6 474.72
5 6 10.25 1230 180 1410 15 34.0 789.18
6 6 4.7 564 180 744 21 51.6 582.99
1775.15
c' L 50 * 42.1
FS = i =n
= = 1.19
∑ ((W + qb) sin q )
1775.15
i
i =1

EXAMPLE-6
The figure below shows an excavation at a construction site. The soil has c’=14KPa,
∅’=28o and γsat=18KN/m3. For the trial slip surface shown below, determine the factor
of safety using the Swedish circle method (the slices are shown in the figure) if;
A) The ground water table is at great depth.
B) The ground water table is at 3m above the toe of the slope.

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Soil Mechanics-II Slope Stability

Solution
A) The ground water table is at great depth.
If there is no GWT and also for a uniform soil, the factor of safety becomes;
i =n i =n

∑ [c' l + W cosθ tan φ '] i c' L + ∑ [W cos θ ]i tan φ '

FS = i =1
i =n
= i =1
i =n

∑ (W sin θ )
i =1
i ∑ (W sin θ )
i =1
i

Slice b (m) h (m) W (KN) X (m) θ (o) W*cosθ W*sinθ

1 6 2.1 226.8 -3 -7.3 225.0 -28.83
2 6 5.1 550.8 3 7.3 546.3 70.02
3 6 6.5 702 9 22.4 648.9 267.71
4 6 5.9 637.2 15 39.5 491.9 405.00
5 3 2.45 132.3 19.5 55.7 74.5 109.32
1986.70 823.21

 6   21 
β = β1 + β 2 β1 = tan −1 
 = 14.74
o
β 2 = tan −1   = 62.79
o

 22.8   22.8 − 12 
β = 14.74 + 62.79 = 77.53o

π π
L = Rβ * = 23.6 * 77.53 * = 31.94m
180 180

(14 * 31.94) + (1986.7 * tan 28) 1503.51

FS = = = 1.83
823.21 823.21

A) The ground water table is at 3m above the toe of the slope.

For a uniform soil with GWT;

i =n i =n

∑ [(c' l + W (cosθ − ru secθ ) tan φ ' )]i c' L + ∑ [W (cos θ − ru sec θ )]i tan φ '
FS = i =1
i =n
= i =1
i =n

∑ (W sin θ )i
i =1
∑ (W sin θ )
i =1
i

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 Soil Mechanics-II Slope Stability

θ γ w hw
W (cosθ − ru secθ ) W*sinθ
b h W X hw
Slice ru = cosθ − ru secθ
(m) (m) (KN) (m) (o) (m) γh
1 6 2.1 226.8 -3 -7.3 2.10 0.55 0.44 100.3 -28.83
2 6 5.1 550.8 3 7.3 3.60 0.38 0.60 332.7 70.02
3 6 6.5 702 9 22.4 2.00 0.17 0.74 521.6 267.71
4 6 5.9 637.2 15 39.5 0.00 0.00 0.77 491.9 405.00
5 3 2.45 132.3 19.5 55.7 0.00 0.00 0.56 74.5 109.32
1521.11 823.21

(14 * 31.94) + (1521.11* tan 28) 447.16 + 808.79 1255.95

FS = = = = 1.53
823.21 823.21 823.21

EXAMPLE-7
A 5m high embankment is constructed on an existing natural ground as shown in the
figure below. For the trial slip surface shown below, determine the factor of safety using
the Swedish circle method (the slices are shown in the figure).

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 Soil Mechanics-II Slope Stability

Solution
Since we have a non-uniform soil, the factor of safety is;
i =n

∑ [c' l + W cosθ tan φ '] i

FS = i =1
i =n

∑ (W sin θ )
i =1
i

Note that the weight of each slice for layered soil is calculated as; W = b(γtht + γbhb)
Where, b = width of slice
γt = unit weight of the top soil layer. γb = unit weight of the bottom soil layer.
ht = height of the slice in the top soil layer.
hb = height of the slice in the bottom soil layer.
Also note that the values of c’ and φ’ is also variable, i.e.
For slice 1-5 use the values of the bottom layer and
For slice 6 & 7 use the values of the top layer.
Sample calculation for slice-4 is shown below.
X 2
W = 2 * (20 * 3.8 + 18 *1.4) = 199.3KN θ = sin −1 = sin −1 = 13.4o
R 8.6
b 2
l= = = 2.06m
cosθ cos13.4
To calculate the rest terms use c’= 8 and φ’ = 25 since the bottom of slice-4 is in the
bottom layer.
The calculation for the whole slope is tabulated below.

b hT hB W X l W*cosθ*
Slice θ (o) c' c'l W*cosθ tanφ W*sinθ
(m) (m) (m) (KN) (m) (m) tanφ
1 2 0 0.6 22.3 -4 -27.7 2.26 8 18.07 19.76 tan25 7.19 -10.38
2 2 1.3 1.4 99.3 -2 -13.4 2.06 8 16.45 96.60 tan25 35.16 -23.10
3 2 2.5 1.6 158 0 0.0 2.00 8 16.00 157.96 tan25 57.49 0.00
4 2 3.8 1.4 199.3 2 13.4 2.06 8 16.45 193.86 tan25 70.56 46.35
5 2 5 0.6 222 4 27.7 2.26 8 18.07 196.49 tan25 71.52 103.24
6 2 4.1 0 165.2 6 44.2 2.79 15 41.88 118.35 tan20 55.19 115.26
7 1 2.1 0 42.6 7.5 60.7 2.04 15 30.65 20.85 tan20 9.72 37.15
157.58 306.83 268.52

(157.58) + (306.83) 464.41

FS = = = 1.73
268.52 268.52

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Soil Mechanics-II Slope Stability

EXAMPLE-8
Using stability charts calculate the factor of safety for the slope given in example-2.

EXAMPLE-9
Using stability charts calculate the factor of safety for the slope given in example-4.

EXAMPLE-10
Using stability charts calculate the factor of safety for the slope given in example-6.

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