Analytical Solutions for General Three-Wedge Stability
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22, Issue 12
Abstract
A force-based limit-equilibrium analysis is presented for the stability of a general two-dimensional, three-wedge sliding mass of soil with vertical or nonvertical interfaces between the wedges. The analysis is conducted using five failure planes and can accommodate variable conditions for wedge geometry, pore pressure, shear strength parameters, reinforcement, applied loads, and pseudostatic seismic coefficients. A constant factor of safety is assumed for each failure plane and reinforcement element, although this assumption can be relaxed through the selection of strength parameters. The factor of safety is obtained analytically and requires solving for the roots of a polynomial equation. A numerical example is provided to demonstrate the method and illustrate the importance of selected parameters, including wedge interface angles, for the stability of an earth slope. The analytical solutions take compact form, provide insight for the three-wedge method, and offer good capability to tailor conditions for applications that can be suitably characterized by wedge failure.
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Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22 • Issue 12 • December 2022
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 24, 2021
Accepted: Apr 30, 2022
Published online: Sep 23, 2022
Published in print: Dec 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Feb 23, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Business management
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamic loads
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Equilibrium
- Failure analysis
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Limit equilibrium
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Mathematics
- Parameters (statistics)
- Practice and Profession
- Public administration
- Public health and safety
- Safety
- Seismic loads
- Shear strength
- Soil analysis
- Soil mechanics
- Soil properties
- Solid mechanics
- Statics (mechanics)
- Statistics
- Strength of materials
- Structural dynamics
- Two-dimensional analysis
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