Abstract
Stabilizing precarious slopes by installing piles has become a widespread technique for landslides prevention. The design of slope-stabilizing piles by the finite element method is more accurate comparing to the conventional methods. This accuracy is because of the ability of this method to simulate complex configurations, and to analyze the soil-pile interaction effect. However, engineers prefer to use the simplified analytical techniques to design slope stabilizing piles, this is due to the high computational resources required by the finite element method. Aiming to combine the accuracy of the finite element method with simplicity of the analytical approaches, a hybrid methodology to design slope stabilizing piles was proposed in 2012. It consists of two steps; (1): an analytical estimation of the resisting force needed to stabilize the precarious slope, and (2): a numerical analysis to define the adequate pile configuration that offers the required resisting force. The hybrid method is applicable only for the analysis and the design of stabilizing piles placed in the middle of the slope, however, in certain cases like road constructions, piles are needed to be placed at the toe of the slope. Therefore, in this paper a simplified model for the hybrid method is dimensioned to analyze and design stabilizing piles placed at the toe of a precarious slope. The validation of the simplified model is presented by a comparative analysis with the full coupled finite element model.
Highlights
Nailing unstable slopes using piles is one of the successful reinforcement techniques
Coupled slopes with pre-existing potential sliding interface (PEPSI) were analyzed using finite element code Abaqus, an example is presented in figure 2
In this paper a simplified model for the hybrid method is dimensioned to analyse and design stabilizing piles placed at the toe of a precarious slope
Summary
Nailing unstable slopes using piles is one of the successful reinforcement techniques. Piles were proven to be efficient to stabilize precarious slopes through the additional resisting force that they offer. Many authors studied this subject, among them: De Beer and Walleys (1972), Ito and Matsui (1975), Sommer (1977), Fukuoka (1977), Wang et al (1979), Nethero (1982), Oakland and Chameau (1984), Poulos (1995), and Poulos and Chen (1997). In 2012, Kourkoulis et al proposed a hybrid method for the design of slope-stabilizing piles. This method merges the accuracy of the finite element method with simplicity of the analytical approaches. The hybrid method was only developed to analyze piles placed in the middle of unstable slopes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
