Different aspects regarding slope stability improvement using piles

Abstract

The problem of slope stability is a common one in the field of geotechnical engineering. There is more than one method that can be adopted in order to improve the stability of a slope. During the last decade, using piles for improving the mechanical behaviour of slopes has become the main approach of dealing with unstable slopes. In the current paper, the stability of a slope was analysed by using the tridimensional finite elements method using different scenarios of consolidation with timber piles. A parametric analysis was carried out for two different slopes: sand slope and soft soil slope. There were also analysed two different constitutive models: Mohr-Coulomb and Hardening Soil Small with different location of the consolidation system. The stability analyses employed both timber piles and concrete piles which were modelled in Plaxis 3D software by using two different approaches: embedded piles and volume piles. In the end, the most favourable position for the pile consolidation system is highlighted in order to attain the maximum stability of the slope. Also, different aspects of the constitutive models, modelling the piles and pile material are discussed from the point of view of slope stability improvement.