Slope Stability

Faculty of Civil Engineering

Lecturer: Roth Chanraksmey (M. Eng)
TELEGRAM: 061411010
Nov 2024
https://geologyscience.com/geology-branches/engineering-geology/slope-stability-and-landslides/
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Introduction to slope stability
Slope stability refers to the ability of a slope or hillside to resist the downward movement or
collapse of soil and rock materials. Landslides are a common form of slope failure, which can
result in significant damage to property and infrastructure, loss of life, and environmental
impacts. Slope stability and landslides are important considerations in engineering
geology and geotechnical engineering, particularly in the planning, design, and construction
of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and buildings.

Several factors can contribute to slope instability and landslides, including the type of
geological materials present, the slope gradient and aspect, the presence of groundwater,
and the effects of natural and human-induced erosion. Some common causes of slope
instability include earthquakes, heavy rainfall or snowmelt, changes in soil moisture content,
and the removal of support at the base of a slope due to excavation or construction activities.
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Type of slope
-Natural slope
-Human-made slope
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Causes of Slope Failure
Slope failures can happen due to many different natural and human-made reasons. Here's a simpler look at what might
cause a slope to fail:
•Geology and Soil Properties: The type of ground beneath a slope is crucial. For example, slopes made up of weak or
crumbly rock, clay, or very wet soil are more likely to give way because these materials don't hold together very well.
•Water's Role: Water is a major player in making slopes unstable. Too much rain, flooding, or rising groundwater can
weaken slopes significantly, leading to landslides.
•Shape of the Slope: How steep and tall a slope is will affect its stability. The steeper and taller the slope, the more
likely it is to collapse.
•Shaking Ground: Earthquakes or other shaking from below can make slopes suddenly lose their grip and slide down.
•Human Impact: Things we do like digging, building, mining, or cutting down trees can make slopes unstable. These
activities might change how weight is distributed on a slope or remove the plants that help hold the soil in place.
•Plants on the Slope: Plants are more important than you might think! Their roots help hold the soil together. When
vegetation is cleared, slopes can become more fragile and more likely to slide.
•Changes in the Climate: As the climate changes, so does the weather. More intense storms with heavy rainfall, longer
droughts, and shifting temperatures can all push a slope towards failure.
•Other Triggers: Several other things can also destabilize slopes, like natural erosion, the freeze-thaw cycle in colder
climates (where water in the ground freezes and thaws, expanding and contracting the soil), and gradual natural
movements of the slope over time.
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Causes of Slope Failure
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Failure modes

Four failure modes:

1. Circular failure
2. Plane failure
3. Wedge failure
4. Toppling failure
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Failure modes

Circular failure
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Failure modes

Plane failure
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Failure modes
Plane failure
(a) The plane on which sliding occurs must strike parallel or nearly parallel (within approximately ±20◦) to the slope face.

(b) The dip of the sliding plane must be less than the dip of the slope face, that is, ψp < ψf .
(c) The dip of the sliding plane must be greater than the angle of friction of this plane, that is, ψp > φ.
(d) The upper end of the sliding surface either intersects the upper slope, or terminates in a tension crack.
(e) Release surfaces that provide negligible resistance to sliding must be present in the rock mass to define the lateral
boundaries of the slide.
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Failure modes

Wedge failure
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Failure modes

Topple failure
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Method of analysis

Shear resistance
Rs

Block weight
W x Sina

FS natural slope = 1.25 to 1.4

FS man-made slope > 1.5
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Method of analysis
Limit Equilibrium Methods (LEM):
•Ordinary Method of Slices (Fellenius Method): This
method assumes a circular failure surface and analyzes the
forces on each slice of the slope without considering inter-
slice forces.
•Bishop’s Simplified Method: An improvement over the
Fellenius Method, it considers the moment equilibrium and
normal forces but assumes zero shear forces between
slices.
•Janbu's Method: Suitable for non-circular failure surfaces,
it includes corrections for normal and shear forces between
slices and can handle more complex geometries.

Finite Element Method (FEM):

•Strength Reduction Method (SRM): This technique
systematically reduces the soil strength parameters
(cohesion and friction angle) until the slope fails,
providing a factor of safety. It can model complex soil
behaviors and interactions.
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Slope stabilization method
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Slope stabilization method
Unloading

Excavation: Removing soil or rock to decrease slope weight.

Lightweight fill: Using lighter materials to reduce stress on slope.

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Slope stabilization method
Unloading
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Slope stabilization method
Buttressing

Soil and rock fill

Adding mass at the base to enhance stability.
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Slope stabilization method
Buttressing-MSE
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Slope stabilization method
Buttressing-counterberm
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Slope stabilization method
Buttressing-shearkey
Installing wedges to lock the slope
in place.
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Slope stabilization method
Drainage Solutions
Surface Drainage: The goal here is to redirect water before it
can infiltrate the slope. We use techniques like surface ditches
or berms to channel rainwater away.

Subsurface Drainage: This involves installing pipes or drainage

trenches to manage groundwater. If water accumulates inside a
slope, it can create pore pressure that reduces soil stability.
Subsurface drains help remove that water."
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Slope stabilization method
Reinforcement Methods
-Soil Nailing
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Slope stabilization method
Reinforcement Methods

-Stone Columns
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Slope stabilization method
Reinforcement Methods
-Reticulated Micropiles
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Slope stabilization method
Reinforcement Methods
Geosynthetically -Reinforced Slopes
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Slope stabilization method
Retaining Walls

-Gravity and Cantilever Walls: These are designed to use their weight to resist sliding and
overturning. Gravity walls are often made of concrete or stone.
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Slope stabilization method
Retaining Walls

-Driven Piles and Drilled Shaft Walls:

These involve driving piles or
pouring concrete in drilled shafts to
support the wall structure, especially
when the soil is weak.
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Slope stabilization method
Retaining Walls

-Tieback Walls: These walls are further reinforced with cables, or tiebacks, that are anchored
deep into the ground, adding extra support."
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Slope stabilization method
Retaining Walls

-Tieback Walls: These walls are further reinforced with cables, or tiebacks, that are anchored
deep into the ground, adding extra support."
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Slope stabilization method
Vegetation and Biotechnical Stabilization

• General Design Considerations

• Vegetation Species
• Erosion Control Mats and Blankets
• Biotechnical Stabilization
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Slope stabilization method
Soil confinement system
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Slope stabilization method
Vegetation and Biotechnical Stabilization

• Biotechnical Stabilization
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Slope stabilization method
Surface Slope Protection

• Shotcrete
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Slope stabilization method
Surface Slope Protection

• Rip-rap
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Slope stabilization method
Soil Hardening/Soil Improvement

• Compacted Soil-Cement Fill

• Grouting
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Thank you for your attention

Faculty of Civil Engineering