Assessment of Stability of Slopes under Drawdown Conditions
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 126, Issue 5
Abstract
The traditional approach for estimating the stability of slopes under different submergence conditions is the charts of Morgernstern and, more recently, proprietary computer programs, both utilizing limit-state analyses. The chart approach is limited by geometry and material property considerations and the limit-state approach by assumptions about analysis method and failure mechanism. The finite-element method offers a powerful method for analyzing complex geometries and properties of slope stability problems, but may be unattractive for routine use by supervisory staff. By comparison a chart based approach is useful, particularly when setting operating conditions on, for example, drawdown rates for dams and reservoirs. This paper seeks to explore the use of the finite-element method to produce operating charts for such circumstances that should be applicable to real structures.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 126 • Issue 5 • May 2000
Pages: 443 - 450
History
Received: Nov 16, 1998
Published online: May 1, 2000
Published in print: May 2000
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