Limit Equilibrium Analysis of Slope Stability with Coupling Nonlinear Strength Criterion and Double-Strength Reduction Technique
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 19, Issue 6
Abstract
Currently, the strength parameters are reduced by a uniform coefficient for the traditional strength-reduction technique in the slope stability analysis. However, observations proved that the contributions of the strength parameters on slope stability are different from each other when the slope reaches the limit equilibrium (LE) state, which means that the strength parameters should be reduced with their own reduction coefficient. Thus, based on the assumptions of stresses on slip surfaces and the overall mechanical equilibrium conditions of the slope sliding body, this work establishes the LE solution for slope stability under the double-strength reduction (DSR) technique. In the LE stress-based analysis, the loop iteration strategy is given to solve the LE stability of slope with the nonlinear strength criterion. Moreover, a new method (i.e., the square root method) is proposed to calculate the slope comprehensive factor of safety (FOS) for evaluating the slope stability with application of the DSR technique. Thus, by comparing and analyzing some slope examples, the accuracy of the present method is verified. Furthermore, from the obtained stability charts of slope under the DSR technique, the study shows that if the characteristic stability number is less than 0.04 for clay soil, then the internal friction angle would have a larger contribution to the slope stability than cohesion; whereas if the characteristic stability number is more than 1.00, then the larger contributor on the slope stability would be the cohesion.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant 51608541).
References
Bai, B., W. Yuan, and X. C. Li. 2014. “A new double reduction method for slope stability analysis.” J. Cent. South Univ. 21 (3): 1158–1164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-014-2049-6.
Bishop, A. W. 1955. “The use of the slip circle in the stability analysis of slopes.” Géotechnique 5 (1): 7–17. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1955.5.1.7.
Chen, X. P., H. H. Zhu, J. W. Huang, and D. Liu. 2016. “Stability analysis of an ancient landslide considering shear strength reduction behavior of slip zone soil.” Landslides 13 (1): 173–181. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-015-0629-7.
Dawson, E. M., W. H. Roth, and A. Drescher. 1999. “Slope stability analysis by strength reduction.” Géotechnique 49 (6): 835–840. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1999.49.6.835.
Deng, D., L. Li, and L. Zhao. 2017a. “LEM for stability analysis of 3D slopes with general-shaped slip surfaces.” Int. J. Geomech. 17 (10): 06017017. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000987.
Deng, D. P., L. Li, J. F. Wang, and L. H. Zhao. 2016. “Limit equilibrium method for rock slope stability analysis by using the Generalized Hoek-Brown criterion.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 89 (11): 176–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2016.09.007.
Deng, D. P., L. Li, and L. H. Zhao. 2017b. “Limit equilibrium method (LEM) of slope stability and calculation of comprehensive factor of safety with double strength-reduction technique.” J. Mt. Sci. 14 (11): 2311–2324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-017-4537-2.
Deng, D. P., L. H. Zhao, and L. Li. 2015. “Limit equilibrium slope stability analysis using the nonlinear strength failure criterion.” Can. Geotech. J. 52 (5): 563–576. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2014-0111.
Eid, H., and K. Rabie. 2017. “Fully softened shear strength for soil slope stability analyses.” Int. J. Geomech. 17 (1): 04016023. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000651.
He, W. Y., D. F. Guo, and Q. Wang. 2015. “Analysis of dam slope stability by double safety factors and dynamic local strength reduction method.” Int. J. Model. Identif. Control 23 (4): 355–361. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMIC.2015.070659.
Isakov, A., and Y. Moryachkov. 2014. “Estimation of slope stability using two-parameter criterion of stability.” Int. J. Geomech. 14 (3): 06014004. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000326.
Janbu, N. 1973. “Slope stability computations.” In Embankment-dam engineering, edited by E. Hirschfield and S. Poulos, 47–86. New York: John Wiley.
Jiang, Q. H., and C. B. Zhou. 2018. “A rigorous method for three-dimensional asymmetrical slope stability analysis.” Can. Geotech. J. 55 (4): 495–513. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2017-0317.
Jiang, X. Y., Z. G. Wang, L. Y. Liu, and Z. P. Zhou. 2013. “The determination of reduction ratio factor in homogeneous soil-slope with finite element double strength reduction method.” Open Civ. Eng. J. 7: 205–209. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874149501307010205.
Larochelle, P., and A. W. Skempton. 1965. “The Bradwell slip: A short-term failure in London clay.” Géotechnique 15 (3): 221–242. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1965.15.3.221.
Matsui, T., and K. C. San. 1992. “Finite element slope stability analysis by shear strength reduction technique.” Soils Found. 32 (1): 59–70. https://doi.org/10.3208/sandf1972.32.59.
Michalowski, R. 2002. “Stability charts for uniform slopes.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 128 (4): 351–355. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2002)128:4(351).
Morgenstern, N. R., and V. E. Price. 1965. “The analysis of the stability of general slip surfaces.” Géotechnique 15 (1): 79–93. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1965.15.1.79.
Nian, T. K., R. Q. Huang, S. S. Wan, and G. Q. Chen. 2012. “Three-dimensional strength-reduction finite element analysis of slopes: Geometric effects.” Can. Geotech. J. 49 (5): 574–588. https://doi.org/10.1139/t2012-014.
Rocscience Inc. 2003. Slide verification manual, 8–118. Toronto: Rocscience Inc.
Spencer, E. 1967. “A method of analysis of the stability of embankments assuming parallel inter-slice forces.” Géotechnique 17 (1): 11–26. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1967.17.1.11.
Sun, C., J. Chai, Z. Xu, and Y. Qin. 2017. “3D stability charts for convex and concave slopes in plan view with homogeneous soil based on the strength-reduction method.” Int. J. Geomech. 17 (5): 06016034. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000809.
Tang, G. P., L. H. Zhao, L. Li, S. Zuo, and R. Zhang. 2017. “Stability design charts for homogeneous slopes under typical conditions based on the double shear strength reduction technique.” Arabian J. Geosci. 10 (13): 280–295. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3071-4.
Tiwari, B., and B. Ajmera. 2015. “Reduction in fully softened shear strength of natural clays with NaCl leaching and its effect on slope stability.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 141 (1): 04014086. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001197.
Tschuchnigg, F., H. F. Schweiger, and S. W. Sloan. 2015. “Slope stability analysis by means of finite element limit analysis and finite element strength reduction techniques. Part I: Numerical studies considering non-associated plasticity.” Comput. Geotech. 70 (Oct): 169–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2015.06.018.
Tu, Y. L., X. R. Liu, Z. L. Zhong, and Y. Y. Li. 2016. “New criteria for defining slope failure using the strength reduction method.” Eng. Geol. 212 (Sep): 63–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.08.002.
Wu, S., L. Xiong, and S. Zhang. 2018. “Strength reduction method for slope stability analysis based on a dual factoring strategy.” Int. J. Geomech. 18 (10): 04018123. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001249.
Yuan, W., B. Bai, X. C. Li, and H. B. Wang. 2013. “A strength reduction method based on double reduction parameters and its application.” J. Cent. South Univ. 20 (9): 2555–2562. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-013-1768-4.
Zhang, K., P. Cao, and R. Bao. 2013. “Progressive failure analysis of slope with strain-softening behaviour based on strength reduction method.” J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. A 14 (2): 101–109. https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.A1200121.
Zhang, Z. P., J. S. Bo, and W. H. Qi. 2018. “Briefing: A new method for determining the slope reduction range.” Proc. Inst. Civil Eng. Geotech. Eng. 171 (2): 97–103. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeen.17.00069.
Zhao, L. H., F. Yang, Y. B. Zhang, H. C. Dan, and W. Z. Liu. 2015. “Effects of shear strength reduction strategies on safety factor of homogeneous slope based on a general nonlinear failure criterion.” Comput. Geotech. 63 (Jan): 215–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2014.08.015.
Zienkiewicz, O. C., C. Humpheson, and R. W. Lewis. 1975. “Associated and non-associated visco-plasticity and plasticity in soil mechanics.” Géotechnique 25 (4): 671–689. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1975.25.4.671.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 19 • Issue 6 • June 2019
Copyright
© 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 1, 2018
Accepted: Dec 13, 2018
Published online: Apr 9, 2019
Published in print: Jun 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Sep 9, 2019
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.