Three-Dimensional Slope Stability Analysis of Convex Turning Corners
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 144, Issue 6
Abstract
Slopes forming convex corners are often constructed in practice. Observed failures of such corners possess three-dimensional (3D) characteristics. Hence, assessing corner stability requires 3D analysis. This study used a variationally derived 3D mechanism to analyze the stability of convex turning corners. Results of 3D stability analysis are presented in a convenient form of stability charts considering the effects of pore-water pressure and seismicity. These charts allow for a quick assessment of the 3D factor of safety. Stability of a convex corner increases as its angle decreases. When corners are subjected to localized loading conditions, its stability could be more critical than the straight slopes forming the corner. Comparisons between the current method and results from existing analytical and numerical studies are conducted.
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Acknowledgments
This study was sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41630638, 51508160, and 51578213), the National Key Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (Grant No. 2015CB057901), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2016YFC0800205), the 111 Project (Grant No. B13024), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. 2017B00814), and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD).
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©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 9, 2017
Accepted: Jan 4, 2018
Published online: Apr 13, 2018
Published in print: Jun 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Sep 13, 2018
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