Abstract
This study investigated three conventional methods in estimating stability of wide excavations in clay, including the load factor method, the strength factor method, and the slip circle method. Estimates of the factor of safety and required wall embedded depth were compared with those from the finite element method (FEM) using strength reduction technique, which were herein treated as the standard values. Results showed that wall friction had a pronounced effect on the factors of safety by the load factor method and the strength factor method but the slip circle method. For constant su/σv′ (normalized undrained shear strength) case, the Hp/He (wall embedded depth to excavation depth) ratios determined by the three hand-calculation methods were smaller than those by the FEM as Nb (the stability number) < 7.0 but larger as Nb ≥ 7.0. For constant su (undrained shear strength) case, as increasing su, the Hp/He ratios determined by the load factor method were illogical. Estimates by the strength factor method and the slip circle method were larger than those by the FEM as Nb < 4.5 but smaller as Nb ≥ 4.5.
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