A simplified calculation method for high-steep soil slope stability due to groundwater rise from irrigation

Abstract

The stability assessment of high-steep soil slopes remains a substantial challenge in slope engineering, especially in areas affected by groundwater. Research on the occurrence and development characteristics of high-steep soil slopes on the Heifangtai loess tableland, influenced by groundwater, reveals that groundwater is the critical factor impacting their stability. Given the shortcomings of commonly used calculation methods for assessing the stability of high-steep soil slopes, based on the Rankine earth pressure, the equilibrium conditions, and the strength failure criterion, a simplified calculation method for high-steep soil slope stability is proposed considering the typical characteristic that the failure surface of the high-steep slope is a double-segment line. In order to consider the influence of groundwater on high-steep soil slopes, the critical groundwater level of the slope of the tableland edge was determined based on the slope stability model. The model built in this study is straightforward, and the results are consistent with slope comparisons from other models, which modified the shortcomings of the existing model, such as the relatively concentrated and smaller stability coefficient. The critical groundwater level prediction model was applied to the Heifangtai tableland to verify the feasibility of the prediction model and point out the three high-risk points along the Heifangtai tableland. The results of this study provide a reference for stability calculations of high-steep soil slopes and a basis for the stability evaluation of slopes along the loess tableland impacted by rising groundwater.