Stability Analysis of Unsaturated Soil Slopes Based on Unified Strength Theory

Abstract

Based on the unified solution of shear strength in terms of double stress state variables for unsaturated soils, the unified formula of stability coefficient for unsaturated soil slopes under the plane strain condition is derived by Sweden slice method, which considers the effect of the intermediate principal stress rationally. Combining with engineering example, the proposed formula is compared with the one that is on the basis of Fredlund unsaturated soil theory and the influencing characteristics of factors including intermediate principal stress, matric suction, effective internal friction angle and matric suction angle is obtained. The research result indicates that: intermediate principal stress and matric suction have obvious impacts on the stability coefficient for unsaturated soil slopes; the stability coefficient has been increasing with the increase of unified strength theory parameter and matric suction, which proves that the consideration of intermediate principal stress and matric suction can make slopes give full play to their self-stabilities and strength potential, and the yield criterion has great impact on the judgment of slope stability; the stability coefficient also increases nonlinearly with the increase of effective internal friction angle and matric suction angle. The proposed unified formula of stability coefficient for unsaturated soil slopes enjoys a wider application. The stability coefficient for unsaturated soil slopes according to the Fredlund unsaturated soil theory and that for saturated soil slopes are just the special cases. The research result can provide theoretical basis for stability analysis and reinforce design of the unsaturated soil slopes, and it is of great significance to the slope management.