Geotechnical Engineering 260S

Presented by: Dr. M. C. Khahledi

Department: Civil Engineering and Survey
 Chapter 5
Slope Stability
Learning outcomes:
• Name the different types of slip failure
• Do analysis of circular slips in cohesive
soils
• Determine the Factor of Safety for a
slope
• Understand the concept of Stability
tables and curves
 What is Slope?
An exposed ground surface that stands at
an angle with the horizontal
 Why do we need slope stability?
In geotechnical engineering, stability of slopes deals
:with
The engineering design of slopes of man-made .1
slopes in advance
,Earth dams and embankments )a(
,Excavated slopes )b(
Deep-seated failure of foundations and )c(
. retaining walls

The study of the stability of existing or natural .2

slopes of earthworks and natural slopes
 Types of slip failure
The ground not being level results in gravity components
of the weight tending to move the soil from the high point
.to a lower level
 Land slide failure

Slopes are formed by excavation or by embankments fill. The

most common engineering failure is slipping of an embankment
or cutting. Therefore the assessment of the stability of an earth
slope against failure is an important criterion in the design of
engineering projects.
 Factors of Safety
The methods employed to assess the safety factor
(F.O.S) for saturated and effective conditions only
within homogenous soils.

The stability of any soil slope depends on the shear

strength of the soil typically expressed by friction
angle and cohesion.
 Most recent land slides in SA

KZN floods in 2019

https://floodlist.com/africa/south-africa-floods-kzn-eastern-cape-april-2019
Slope analysis on circular surfaces for
saturated soils
Slope analysis on circular surfaces for saturated
soils
Slope analysis on circular surfaces for saturated
soils
Slope analysis on circular surfaces for saturated
soils
Slope analysis on circular surfaces for saturated
soils

F.O.S= 2.484 Ok.

 The effect of tension cracks
In cohesive soils tension cracks may form near the surface. The
effect thereof is illustrated as follows:
 The effect of tension cracks
In cohesive soils tension cracks may form near the surface. The
effect thereof is illustrated as follows:
 The effect of tension cracks
The effect of the tension crack is to reduce the safety factor in two
ways

1. It reduces the length of the arc AB over which shearing

resistance is offered, hence the restoring moment is reduced
2. The crack may be filled with water producing a hydrostatic
thrust Pw, adding to the disturbing moment
The effect of tension cracks
Class tutorial
Solution
 Class tutorial
Cu = 35 kN/m2
12.85 m
ᵠ = 87.59
ᵞ = 19
Area = 65.63

Weight = 19 x 65.63 = 1246.97kN/m

 Class tutorial

∅1
∅2

74.19 +(90-76.6)= 87.59

 Solution

F.O.S= 1.29 not ok.

 Solution

10.6 x
O
6
1
3 2 x

hc

= 3.68 m
1 = Sin-1(3.5/12.85) = 15.81o
x = 3.5+3.68 = 7.18
2 = Sin-1 (7.18/12.85) = 33.97o
 Solution

1
ɸ 3 2 x

hc

3 = 33.97 – 15.81= 18.16o

ɸ = 87.59 – 18.16 = 69.43o
 Solution

C1
B1
1
ɸ 3 2 x

hc

OB1 == 12.36

10.66

12.36-10.66= 1.7
 Solution

hc

1/2x3.68x1.7
= 3.13 m2
 Lever arm of the tension crack

1.7

10.66 m

1.7

hc

+ 1/3x1.7 = 11.23 m
 Soil without tension crack

Area = 65.63 – 3.13 = 62.5 m2

Weight = 62.5 x 19 = 1187.5 kN/m

Lever arm (d)

Restoring moment = Wd

(65.63x19x5.51) – (3.13x19x11.23) = (62.5x19 x d)

d = 5.22
F.O.S= 1.13 not ok.
 Tension crack full of water

Zo = hc

Water pressure =
Thrust of water =

F.O.S= 1.01 (Still) Not ok.