Abstract
The concept of slice-wise factor of safety is introduced to investigate the state of both the whole slope and each slice. The assumption that the interslice force ratio is the same between any two slices is made and the eccentric moment of slice weight is also taken into account. Then four variables equations are formulated based on the equilibrium of forces and moment and the assumption of interslice forces, and then the slice-wise factor of safety along the slip surface can be obtained. The active and passive sections of the slope can be determined based on the distribution of factor of safety. The factor of safety of the whole slope is also defined as the ratio of the sum of antisliding force to the sum of sliding force on the slip surface. Two examples with different slip surface shapes are analysed to demonstrate the usage of the proposed method. The slice-wise factor of safety enables us to determine the sliding mechanism and pattern of a slope. The reliability is verified by comparing the overall factor of safety with that calculated by conventional methods.
Highlights
Among various methods currently available for slope stability analysis, conventional methods based on the concept of limit equilibrium have been most widely used in engineering practice
The eccentric moment is considered in the analysis
A four-variable implicit equation is established based on the equilibrium of forces and moment and the assumption of interslice forces
Summary
Among various methods currently available for slope stability analysis, conventional methods based on the concept of limit equilibrium have been most widely used in engineering practice. The key procedure and main purpose of slope stability analysis using the limit equilibrium technique are the calculation of the factor of safety. Morgenstern and Price’s method [6], Janbu’s generalized procedure of slice [10], Sarma’s method [11], and slope stability charts [9] satisfy all conditions of equilibrium and differ from each other in the assumptions about interslice forces. By defining the slice-wise factor of safety, an individual reduction coefficient is given to each slice and all the slip surfaces can reach the limit equilibrium state simultaneously. The slice-wise factor of safety is first proposed (the definition of factor of safety is based on the conception of shear strength reduction), and the influence of its distribution along the slip surface on the stability of the whole slope is discussed. Four variables, including the horizontal and vertical interslice forces, the normal force on the slip surface, and the slice-wise factor of safety, are used to establish the slice-wise equations, and the group of equations are solved iteratively using the boundary conditions at the first and the last slice
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