Limit analysis solutions for stability factor of unsupported conical slopes in clays with heterogeneity and anisotropy

Abstract

The novel stability solutions of unsupported conical slope in anisotropic and inhomogeneous clays utilizing the lower-bound (LB) and upper-bound (UB) finite-element limit analyses (FELA) are proposed in this paper. The anisotropic undrained shear (AUS) model and linear increasing undrained shear strength are employed to determine the anisotropic and inhomogeneous soil behavior, respectively. The stability factor [Formula: see text] is obtained with the variations of dimensionless parameters including the ratio of anisotropic ([Formula: see text], the rate of increasing undrained shear strength ([Formula: see text], the ratio between the height and the radius at the bottom slope ([Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text], and the inclination angle of slope ([Formula: see text] provided in sample charts. The failure patterns of conical slope considering the affected parameters are also obtained and described.