DEM Analysis of the Cemented-Soil Slope Failure Caused by Surcharge

Abstract

Slope stability has gained more and more attention in geotechnical engineering, where the surcharge on the crest of slope may trigger slope failures. In this paper, the cemented-soil slope failure induced by footing surcharge was carefully studied using the two dimensional distinct element method (DEM). The main focus is on the effects of the footing position, footing roughness and slope angle on the slope failure mode and the bearing capacity. In addition, the micro-characteristics such as bond breakage were also examined to shed light on the underlying micro-mechanics. The simulation results show that the ultimate bearing capacity of the footing on the top of slope increases with the increase of the horizontal distance from the footing to the slope crest and the decrease of the slope angle. Once the surcharge is applied, the soils below the footing are compressed forming a triangular failure area. Simultaneously, cracks originate from the bottom of the footing and slope toe or slope surface, and then extend toward the middle part of the slope until a circular slip surface is formed eventually.