Three-Dimensional Limit Analysis of Slopes with Pore Pressure
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 9
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) slope stability analyses are not performed routinely because they involve increased effort compared with two-dimensional analyses, and because the latter yield more conservative results. However, in cases of distinct limitations of the width of the failure region (e.g., in the case of excavations), an assessment of safety using 3D stability analyses may be more appropriate. The kinematic approach of limit analysis for the assessment of stability of slopes is presented, based on a recently conceived rigid-rotation 3D mechanism modified to include below-toe failures, which are common for gentle slopes. The presence of pore-water pressure in the slope is included approximately using the scalar parameter . The results are presented in terms of the critical height (or dimensionless coefficient ), and also in the form of charts and a closed-form approximation formula that allow for direct assessment of the safety factor for slopes with constrained width. Not surprisingly, the safety factor decreases with an increase in the pore-water pressure and with an increased width of the slope (increased failure zone).
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The work in this paper was performed while the authors were supported by the National Science Foundation through Grant Nos. CMMI-1129009 and CMMI-0724022. This support is greatly appreciated.
References
Bell, J. M. (1966). “Dimensionless parameters for homogeneous earth slopes.” J. Soil Mech. and Found. Div., 92(5), 51–65.
Bishop, A. W., and Morgenstern, N. R. (1960). “Stability coefficients for earth slopes.” Geotechnique, 10(4), 129–150.
Chen, W. F., and Giger, M. W. (1971). “Limit analysis of stability of slopes.” J. Soil Mech and Found. Div., 97(1), 19–26.
Chen, W. F., Giger, M. W., and Fang, H. Y. (1969). “On the limit analysis of stability of slopes.” Soils Found., 9(4), 23–32.
Cornforth, D. H. (2005). Landslides in practice: Investigation, analysis, and remedial/preventative options in soils, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ.
Griffiths, D. V., and Marquez, R. M. (2007). “Three-dimensional slope stability analysis by elasto-plastic finite elements.” Geotechnique, 57(6), 537–546.
Li, A. J., Merifield, R. S., and Lyamin, A. V. (2010). “Three-dimensional stability charts for slopes based on limit analysis methods.” Can. Geotech. J., 47(12), 1316–1334.
Michalowski, R. L. (1995). “Slope stability analysis: A kinematical approach.” Geotechnique, 45(2), 283–293.
Michalowski, R. L. (2001). “Upper-bound load estimates on square and rectangular footings.” Geotechnique, 51(9), 787–798.
Michalowski, R. L. (2002). “Stability charts for uniform slopes.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 128(4), 351–355.
Michalowski, R. L. (2010). “Limit analysis and stability charts for 3D slope failures.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 136(4), 583–593.
Michalowski, R. L., and Drescher, A. (2009). “Three-dimensional stability of slopes and excavations.” Geotechnique, 59(10), 839–850.
Viratjandr, C., and Michalowski, R. L. (2006). “Limit analysis of slope instability caused by partial submergence and rapid drawdown.” Can. Geotech. J., 43(8), 802–814.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 25, 2012
Accepted: Nov 16, 2012
Published online: Nov 20, 2012
Published in print: Sep 1, 2013
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.