TR 334: Foundation Engineering

Lecture 5: Slope Stability

University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM),
College of Engineering and Technology
(COET),
Department of Transportation and
Geotechnical Engineering (TGE).
2021/2022

Lecturer:
1 Dr. John E. Elvis
 Objectives/Importance
• Construction of building foundations and highways on sloping
ground or embankments can present instability problems due to
potential shear failure.
• Failures of natural slopes (landslides) and man-made slopes have
resulted in much death and destruction, economic losses, and
environmental damage.
• Engineers must pay attention to geology, surface drainage,
groundwater, and the shear strength of soils in assessing slope
stability
• The analyses of slope are based on simplifying assumptions, and its
design relies on experience and careful site investigation.
• The primary cause of slope instability is the inadequate
mobilization of shear strength to meet the shear stresses ( 𝜏𝜏 )
induced on any impending failure plane by the loading on the
slope. Mathematically, the condition for instability can be
2expressed as
 Slope Failures

3
 2: Types of slope failure

a. Fall type of land slide b. Slope failure by toppling

This is the detachment of soil and/or rock This is a forward rotation of soil and/or
fragments that fall down a slope (in which a rock mass about an axis below the center of
large amount of soil mass has slide down a gravity of mass being displaced.
slope.

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 2: Types of slope failure
c. Slope failure by sliding d. Slope failure by lateral spreading
This is the downward movement of a soil This is a form of slide by translation. It
mass occurring on a surface of rupture. occurs by “sudden movement of water-
bearing seams of sands or silts overlain by
clays or loaded by fills.

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 2: Types of slope failure
e. Slope failure by flowing
This is a downward movement of soil mass like a viscous fluid, spreading out in several
directions.

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 3: Causes of slope failure

a. Erosion b. Rainfall
Water and wind continuously erode natural Long periods of rainfall saturate, soften,
and man-made slopes. Erosion changes the and erode soils. Water enters existing cracks
geometry of the slope, ultimately resulting in and may weaken underlying soil layers,
slope failure or a landslide. Rivers and leading to failure
streams continuously scour their banks,
undermining their natural or man-made
slope.

a) Steeping of slope by erosion b) Rainfall fills crack and introduces

7 seepage forces in the thin, weak soil layer
 3: Causes of slope failure
c. Earthquakes d. Geological features
Earthquakes induce dynamic shear forces that Sloping, stratified soils are prone to
reduce the shear strength and stiffness of the translational slide along weak layer
soil. Porewater pressures could rise to total
mean stress and cause the soils to behave like
viscous fluids — a phenomenon known as
dynamic liquefaction

c) Gravity and earthquake forces d) Geological feature—soil stratification

8
 3: Causes of slope failure
e. External loading f. Construction activities
Loads placed on the crest of a slope (the top of Construction activities near the toe of an
the slope) add to the gravitational load and existing slope can cause failure because
may cause slope failure lateral resistance is removed

e) Overloading at the crest of the slope f) Excavation at toe of the slope

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 3: Causes of slope failure
g. Rapid Drawdown
Reservoirs can be subjected to rapid drawdown. In this case the lateral force provided by
the water is removed and the excess porewater pressure does not have enough time to
dissipate. The net effect is that the slope can fail under undrained condition

g) Rapid drawdown

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 4. Factor of safety (FS)
There are three definition of factor of safety used:
1: Factor of safety with respect to shear strength
It is defined as the ratio of shear strength to shear stress along the surface of
failure. Where:
𝐹𝐹𝑠𝑠 = factor of safety with respect to shear strength
𝜏𝜏𝑓𝑓 = average shear strength of soil
𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑 = average shear strength developed along the
failure surface
The shear strength of a soil consists of two components, cohesion and friction,
and may be written as:
Where:
𝑐𝑐 ′ = cohesion, 𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑′ = cohesion on failure surface
𝜎𝜎 ′ = normal stress on failure surface
𝜙𝜙 ′ = angle of friction, 𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ = friction on failure surface

Therefore, the factor of safety due to shear strength is given as:

11
 4. Factor of safety (FS)
2: Factor of safety due to cohesion (𝐹𝐹𝑐𝑐 )
It is defined as the ratio of shear strength to shear stress along the surface of failure.
Where:
𝑐𝑐 ′ = cohesion
𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑′ = cohesion at failure surface (mobilised cohesion)
3: Factor of safety due friction is given as:
Where:
𝜙𝜙 ′ = angle of shearing resistance
𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ = angle of mobilised resistance

Note: In the analysis of stability of slopes, three factors of safety are taken equal

When 𝑭𝑭𝒔𝒔 is equal to 1, the slope is in a state of approaching failure. Generally, a value
of 1.5 for the factor of safety with respect to strength is acceptable for the design of a
stable slope. If the factors of safety with respect to cohesion and friction are different,
the mobilized shearing resistance is given as:

However, the factor 𝐅𝐅𝐜𝐜 depends on the height of slopes, which is designated as the
factor of safety due to height 𝑭𝑭𝑯𝑯 defined as ratio between critical and actual height.
Thus, the mobilized shearing resistance is given as:
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 Factor of safety (Example 1)
The shearing strength parameters of a soil are : 𝑐𝑐 ′ = 26.7 kN/m2 , 𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑′ = 17.8
kN/m2 , 𝜙𝜙 ′ = 15𝑜𝑜 , 𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ = 12𝑜𝑜 .
Calculate the factor of safety (a) with respect to strength, (b) with respect to
cohesion and (c) with respect to friction. The average intergranular pressure 𝜎𝜎 ′
on the failure surface is 102.5 kN/m2 .

Solution
• Average shear strength on failure surface, 𝜏𝜏𝑓𝑓
𝜏𝜏𝑓𝑓 = 𝑐𝑐 ′ + 𝜎𝜎 ′ tan 𝜙𝜙 ′ =26.7 + 102.5 tan 15° = 54.2 kN/m2
• Average mobilised shear shearing resistance, 𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑
𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑 =𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑′ + 𝜎𝜎 ′ tan 𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ =17.8 + 102.5 tan 12° = 39.6 kN/m2
• Factor of safety,
𝜏𝜏𝑓𝑓 54.2 𝑐𝑐 ′ 26.7 tan 𝜙𝜙′ 0.268
𝑭𝑭𝒔𝒔 = = = 1.37, 𝑭𝑭𝒄𝒄 = ′ = = 1.5, 𝑭𝑭𝜙𝜙 = = = 1.26
𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑 39.6 𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑 17.8 tan 𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ 0.212
In general, the factor of safety need to be equal. From above, the factor
of safety with respect to shear strength, 𝑭𝑭𝒔𝒔 is 1.37, whereas the factors of
safety with respect to cohesion and friction are different.

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 Factor of safety (Example 1 Solution)
If the factors of safety with respect to cohesion and friction are different, the equation of
the mobilized shearing resistance given below can be used:

Therefore, consider the two extreme cases where τ = 𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑 :

Case 1: When 𝑭𝑭𝒄𝒄 =1

, Therefore

Case 2: When 𝑭𝑭𝝓𝝓 =1

Table: Any combination of 𝑭𝑭𝒄𝒄 and 𝑭𝑭𝝓𝝓

Therefore, Under Case 2, the value of 𝑭𝑭𝒄𝒄 = 2.20 when 𝑭𝑭𝝓𝝓 =1.0. The factor of safety 𝑭𝑭𝒄𝒄 =
2.20 is defined as the factor of safety with respect to cohesion.
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 Factor of safety (Example 2)
What will be the factors of safety with respect to average shearing strength,
cohesion and internal friction of a soil, for which the shear strength parameters
obtained from the laboratory tests are: 𝑐𝑐 ′ = 32 kN/m2 , 𝜙𝜙 ′ = 18𝑜𝑜 ; the expected
parameters of mobilized shearing resistance are 𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑′ = 21 kN/m2 and 𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ =
13𝑜𝑜 and the average effective pressure on the failure plane is 110 kN/m2 .
For the same value of mobilized shearing resistance determine the following:
a) Factor of safety with respect to height;
b) Factor of safety with respect to friction when that with respect to cohesion
is unity; and
c) Factor of safety with respect to strength.

Example 2 Solution
1. Available shear strength of the soil, 𝜏𝜏𝑓𝑓
𝜏𝜏𝑓𝑓 = 𝑐𝑐 ′ + 𝜎𝜎 ′ tan 𝜙𝜙 ′ =32 + 110 tan 18° = 67.8 kN/m2
2. Mobilised shear resistance of the soil, 𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑
𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑 =𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑′ + 𝜎𝜎 ′ tan 𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ =21 + 110 tan 13° = 46.4 kN/m2
3. Factor of safety,
𝜏𝜏𝑓𝑓 67.8 𝑐𝑐 ′ 32 tan 𝜙𝜙′ 0.3249
15 𝑭𝑭𝒔𝒔 = = = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒, 𝑭𝑭𝒄𝒄 = ′ = = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓, 𝑭𝑭𝜙𝜙 = = = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒
𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑 46.4 𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑 21 tan 𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ 0.2309
 Factor of safety (Example 2 Solution)
4. Factor of safety with respect to height, 𝐹𝐹𝐻𝐻 = 𝐹𝐹𝑐𝑐 will be at 𝐹𝐹𝜙𝜙 = 1 (mobilised)
This is calculated based on this equation :

+ 110 tan 18°

32
𝜏𝜏𝑓𝑓 = 46.4 = , therefore
𝐹𝐹𝑐𝑐 1

5. Factor of safety with respect to friction, 𝐹𝐹𝑐𝑐 = 1 is

+ 110 tan 18°
32
𝜏𝜏𝑓𝑓 = 46.4 = , therefore,
1 𝐹𝐹𝜙𝜙
6. Factor of safety with respect to strength, 𝐹𝐹𝑠𝑠 is obtained when 𝐹𝐹𝑐𝑐 = 𝐹𝐹𝜙𝜙

Therefore:

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 5. Stability of infinite slope
As shown in the Fig. below, consider an infinite slope making an angle 𝛽𝛽 with the
horizontal. The shear strength of the soil may be given as:
Assume that the pore water pressure is zero, the factor of safety against slope failure
along a plane AB, located at a depth H below the ground surface, can be estimated.
From the Fig, the slope failure can occur by the movement of soil above the plane AB
from right to left.
• An element abcd has a unit
perpendicular to the plane.
• The forces F acts on faces ab
and cd are equal and opposite
and ignored.
• Weight of element abcd (W)
𝑾𝑾 = 𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸
• This weight can be solved as:
a. Perpendicular to plane AB
𝑁𝑁𝑎𝑎 = 𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝛽𝛽 = 𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝛽𝛽
b. Parallel to plane AB
𝑇𝑇𝑎𝑎 = 𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝛽𝛽 = 𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝛽𝛽
Note: The force 𝑇𝑇𝑎𝑎 tends to cause
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the slip along the plane.
 5. Stability of infinite slope (cont.…)
Effective normal and shear stresses at the base of the slope.
a. Normal stress

b. Shear stress

Normal (𝑵𝑵𝒓𝒓 ) and tangential (𝑻𝑻𝒓𝒓 ) component of reaction R with respect to plane AB
Note: The weight W is equal and opposite to reaction force R.
,
Note: For equilibrium, the resistive shear stress that develops at the base of the
element is equal to:
This equation is similar to mobilized shear resistance 𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑 as discussed before:
, therefore, 𝜎𝜎 ′ , can be substituted and giving equation:
, Thus, for equilibrium between the resistive shear and
mobilized shear, it yields:
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 5. Stability of infinite slope (cont.…)
From previous slide:

Previously, the factor of safety with respect to strength has been defined as:

and . By substituting these parameters in the above

Equations, it yields the factor of safety as:

Conditions:
′ 2 tanϕ′
1. For cohesionless soil: 𝑐𝑐 = 0 kN/m and Factor of safety will be: 𝐹𝐹𝑠𝑠 =
tanβ
This indicates that in an infinite slope in sand, the value of 𝐹𝐹𝑠𝑠 is independent of the
height H and the slope is stable as long as 𝛽𝛽 < ϕ′
2. If the soil possesses cohesion and friction, the depth of the plane (𝐇𝐇𝐫𝐫 ) along which
critical equilibrium occurs may be determined by substituting 𝐅𝐅𝐬𝐬 =1 and H = 𝐇𝐇𝐫𝐫

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 5. Infinite slope with steady state seepage
If there is steady state seepage through the soil and the ground water table coincides
with the ground surface, as shown in the Figure below, the factor of safety against
sliding can be determined as follows:
Where

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 Stability of infinity slope (Example 3)
For the infinite slope with a steady state seepage shown in the Figure,
determine:
a. The factor of safety against sliding along the soil-rock interface.
b. The height, H, that will give a factor of safety (𝑭𝑭𝒔𝒔 ) of 2 against sliding
along the soil-rock interface.

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 Stability of infinity slope (Solution 3)
a. From Equation ,

and

b.

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 Stability of infinity slope (Exercise 4)
Refer to the Figure below, if there were seepage through the soil and the
groundwater table coincided with the ground surface, what would be the value
of 𝐹𝐹𝑠𝑠 ? Use H = 8 m, 𝜌𝜌𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 (saturated density of soil) =1900 kg/m3 , 𝛽𝛽 =
20𝑜𝑜 ,𝑐𝑐 ′ =18 kN/ m2 , and 𝜙𝜙 ′ = 25𝑜𝑜 .

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 6. Stability of finite slope
6.1: Background

 When the value of Hcr approaches the height of the slope,

H, the slope generally may be considered finite.
 When analysing the stability of a finite slope in a
homogeneous soil, the assumption is made about the
general shape of the surface of potential failure.
 According to Fellenius (1927), slope failures usually occur
on curved failure surfaces, however, Cullman (1875)
approximated the surface of potential failure as a plane.
The factor of safety, Fs , calculated by using Cullman’s
approximation, gives fairly good results for near-vertical
slopes only.
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 6. Stability of finite slope
6.1: Background
 After extensive investigation of slope failures, a Swedish
geotechnical commission recommended that the actual
surface of sliding may be approximated to be circularly
cylindrical.
 Slope stability can be analysed using one or more of the
following: the limit equilibrium method, limit analysis, the
finite difference method, and the finite element method.
 Limit equilibrium is often the method of choice, but the
finite element method (FEM) or the finite difference
method (FDM) is more flexible and general.

25
 6. Stability of finite slope (cont..)
6.2: Plane surface of failure
Cullman's analysis assumes that the failure of a slope occurs along a plane when the
average shearing stress tending to cause the slip is more than the shear strength of
the soil. As shown in the Fig. below, the slope of height H rises at an angle 𝛽𝛽. Line AC
is a trial failure plane. If we consider a unit length perpendicular to the section of the
slope, we find that the weight of the wedge ABC (W) is equal to
𝟏𝟏 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 𝜷𝜷−𝜽𝜽
, therefore, 𝑾𝑾 = 𝜸𝜸𝑯𝑯𝟐𝟐
𝟐𝟐 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷

Normal and tangent components of W

Normal component: 𝑵𝑵𝒂𝒂

𝟏𝟏 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 𝜷𝜷−𝜽𝜽
𝑵𝑵𝒂𝒂 = 𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝜽𝜽 = 𝜸𝜸𝑯𝑯𝟐𝟐 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝜽𝜽
𝟐𝟐 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷

Tangential component: 𝑻𝑻𝒂𝒂

𝟏𝟏 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 𝜷𝜷−𝜽𝜽
𝑻𝑻𝒂𝒂 = 𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝑾𝜽𝜽 = 𝜸𝜸𝑯𝑯𝟐𝟐 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝜽𝜽
𝟐𝟐 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷
26
 6. Stability of finite slope (cont..)
6.2: Plane surface of failure (cont.…)
I. The average effective normal stress (𝜎𝜎 ′ ) and the average shear stress (𝜏𝜏) on the plane
AC:
′ 𝐍𝐍𝐚𝐚 𝐍𝐍𝐚𝐚 1 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝛽𝛽−𝜃𝜃
1: Effective normal stress: 𝜎𝜎 = = 𝐇𝐇 = 𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃
AC (1) 2 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽
𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝛉𝛉
𝐓𝐓𝐚𝐚 𝐓𝐓𝐚𝐚 1 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 𝜷𝜷−𝜽𝜽
2: Effective shear stress: τ = = 𝐇𝐇 = 𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠2 𝜃𝜃
AC (1) 2 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷
𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝛉𝛉
II. The average resistive (mobilised) shearing stress (𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑 ) developed along the plane AC:
1 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝛽𝛽 − 𝜃𝜃
𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑′
𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑 = + 𝜎𝜎 ′
𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ 𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑′
= + 𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′
2 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽
III. Effective and mobilised shear stress are equated to determine 𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑′ :
1 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 𝜷𝜷 − 𝜽𝜽 ′ 1 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝛽𝛽 − 𝜃𝜃
𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 2
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝜃𝜃 = 𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑 + 𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′
2 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷𝜷 2 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽𝛽
′ 𝟏𝟏 𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬(𝜷𝜷 − 𝜽𝜽) 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 − 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝝓𝝓′𝒅𝒅
𝒄𝒄𝒅𝒅 = 𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸
𝟐𝟐 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔
Note: This expression is derived for the trial failure plane AC. In an effort to determine the
critical failure plane, we must use the principle of maxima and minima (for a given value
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of 𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ ) to find the angle 𝜽𝜽 where the developed cohesion would be maximum.
 6. Stability of finite slope (cont..)
6.2: Plane surface of failure (cont…)
𝝏𝝏𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑′
IV. Consider the partial derivative of 𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑′ with respective 𝜃𝜃 and set it equal to zero:
𝝏𝝏𝜃𝜃
= 0.
Since 𝛾𝛾, H, and 𝛽𝛽 are constants in the 𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑′ equation, then:
By solving this derivative, the critical value of 𝜃𝜃
𝜷𝜷+𝝓𝝓′𝒅𝒅
is given as 𝜽𝜽𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 =
𝟐𝟐
By using this value of 𝜽𝜽𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 , the mobilised cohesion, 𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑′ , is given as:
𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸 𝟏𝟏 − 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 (𝜷𝜷 − 𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ )
𝒄𝒄′𝒅𝒅 =
𝟒𝟒 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′
The maximum height of the slope (𝐻𝐻𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 ) for which critical equilibrium occurs can be
obtained by substituting 𝒄𝒄′𝒅𝒅 = 𝒄𝒄′ and 𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ =𝜙𝜙 ′

28
 Plane surface of failure (Example 1)
A cut is to be made in a soil having 𝛾𝛾 =16.5 kN/m3 , c ′ = 28.73 kN/m2 , and 𝜙𝜙 ′
15o . The side of the cut slope will make an angle of β = 45o with the
horizontal. What should be the depth of the cut slope that will have a factor of
safety (𝐹𝐹𝑠𝑠 ) of 3?

Solution 1
Given: 𝛾𝛾 =16.5 kN/m3 ; c ′ = 28.73 kN/m2 ; 𝜙𝜙 ′ = 15o ; If 𝐹𝐹𝑠𝑠 = 3, 𝐹𝐹𝒄𝒄′ and 𝐹𝐹𝜙𝜙′
𝒄𝒄′ 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝜙𝜙′
should be equal to 3. 𝐹𝐹𝒄𝒄′ = and 𝐹𝐹𝜙𝜙′ =
𝒄𝒄′𝒅𝒅 ′
𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑

𝒄𝒄′ 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐.𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 tanϕ′ 𝐭𝐭𝐭𝐭𝐭𝐭15

But 𝒄𝒄′𝒅𝒅 = = 𝟐𝟐
= 9.58 kN/𝐦𝐦 and 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ = = = 0.089
𝐹𝐹𝒄𝒄′ 𝟑𝟑 Fϕ′ 𝟑𝟑
𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ = 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 −1 (0.089)=𝟓𝟓. 𝟏𝟏𝐨𝐨
Therefore, the depth of cut slope is given as:
4𝒄𝒄′𝒅𝒅 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝛽𝛽 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ 4𝒙𝒙𝒙𝒙. 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠45 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐15
𝐻𝐻𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = = = 𝟕𝟕. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐦𝐦
𝛾𝛾 1 − cos(𝛽𝛽 − 𝜙𝜙𝑑𝑑′ ) 16.5 1 − cos(45 − 15)

29 ∴ Hcr = 𝟕𝟕. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐦𝐦

 6. Stability of finite slope (cont..)
6.3: Circular surface of failure
𝟔𝟔. 𝟑𝟑. 𝟏𝟏: 𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌 𝐨𝐨𝐨𝐨 𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟
Three types of failure that may occur:
a. Slope failure – the arc of the rapture surface meets the slope above the toe (see
Fig. (a). This is happening when the slope angle 𝛽𝛽 is quite high and soil close to
the toe possess high strength.
b. Toe Failure – this failure occurs if it passes through the toe of the slope (see Fig.
(b)). It occurs when the soil mass of the dam above and below the base is
homogeneous.

Fig. (a) Slope failure Fig. (b) Toe failure

30
 6. Stability of finite slope (cont..)
B: Circular surface of failure (cont..)
𝟔𝟔. 𝟑𝟑. 𝟏𝟏: 𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌 𝐨𝐨𝐨𝐨 𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟 (cont.…)
Three types of failure that may occur:
c. Base Failure - When the failure occurs in such a way that the surface of sliding
passes at some distance below the toe of the slope (see Fig. (c)), it is called a base
failure. The failure circle in the case of base failure is called a midpoint circle.

31
Fig. (c) Base failure
 6. Stability of finite slope (cont..)
6.4: Circular surface of failure (cont..)
𝟔𝟔. 𝟒𝟒. 𝟏𝟏: 𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒 𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚 𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩
Two major classes are used in the stability analysis:
1. Mass procedure
In this case, the mass of the soil above the surface of sliding is taken as a unit. This
procedure is useful when the soil that forms the slope is assumed to be homogeneous,
although this is not the case in most natural slopes.

2. Method of slices
In this procedure, the soil above the surface of sliding is divided into a number of
vertical parallel slices. The stability of each slice is calculated separately. It is a
technique in which the nonhomogeneity of the soils and pore water pressure can be
taken into consideration. It also accounts for the variation of the normal stress along
the potential failure surface.

32
 6. Stability of finite slope (cont..)
6.4: Circular surface of failure (cont..)
𝟔𝟔. 𝟒𝟒. 𝟐𝟐: 𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌 𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩 (𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒 𝐢𝐢𝐢𝐢 𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡𝐡 𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜 𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬 𝜙𝜙 = 𝟎𝟎)
The Fig. below shows a slope in a homogeneous soil. The undrained shear strength of
the soil is assumed to be constant with depth and may be given by 𝜏𝜏𝑓𝑓 = 𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑢 . To
perform the stability analysis, a trial potential curve of sliding, AED, which is an arc
of a circle that has a radius r. The centre of the circle is located at O.
Considering a unit length perpendicular
to the section of the slope, we can give
the weight of the soil above the curve
AED as W = 𝐖𝐖𝟏𝟏 + 𝐖𝐖𝟐𝟐 , where
W1 = Area of FCDEF γ and
W2 = Area of 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 γ

Note: Failure of the slope may occur due

sliding of the soil mass.
The moment of the driving force about O
to cause slope instability is:
𝐌𝐌𝐝𝐝 = 𝐖𝐖𝟏𝟏 𝐥𝐥𝟏𝟏 + 𝐖𝐖𝟐𝟐 𝐥𝐥𝟐𝟐
33
Where 𝐥𝐥𝟏𝟏 and 𝐥𝐥𝟐𝟐 are the moment arms.
6.4: Circular surface of failure (cont..)
𝟔𝟔. 𝟒𝟒. 𝟐𝟐: 𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒 𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚 𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩 (cont.…)
The resistance to sliding is derived from the cohesion that acts along the potential
surface of sliding. If 𝑐𝑐𝑑𝑑 is the cohesion that needs to be developed, the moment
resisting forces about O is:
�
MR = cd A DE 1 r = cd r 2 θ, where A �
DE=arc length
For equilibrium, MR = Md , thus, cd r 2 θ = W1 l1 + W2 l2
𝐖𝐖𝟏𝟏 𝐥𝐥𝟏𝟏 +𝐖𝐖𝟐𝟐 𝐥𝐥𝟐𝟐
∴ 𝐜𝐜𝐝𝐝 =
𝐫𝐫 𝟐𝟐 𝛉𝛉
Therefore,
𝝉𝝉𝒇𝒇 𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒖
𝑭𝑭𝒔𝒔 = =
𝒄𝒄𝒅𝒅 𝒄𝒄𝒅𝒅
Note:
• The critical surface is that for which the ratio of 𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒖 to 𝒄𝒄𝒅𝒅 is a minimum. In other
words, 𝒄𝒄𝒅𝒅 is maximum. To find the critical surface for sliding, one must make a
number of trials for different trial circles.
• For the case of critical circles, the developed cohesion can be expressed by the
relationship: where m is the stability number
34
 6.4: Circular surface of failure (cont..)
𝟔𝟔. 𝟒𝟒. 𝟐𝟐: 𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒 𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚 𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩 (cont.…)
For the critical height of slope (𝐻𝐻𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 ), where 𝐹𝐹𝑠𝑠 = 1, can be evaluated by replacing
𝐻𝐻 = 𝐻𝐻𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 and cd = cu (full mobilization of the undrained shear strength). Therefore:
𝒄𝒄
𝑯𝑯𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 = 𝒖𝒖
𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸
The values of m for various slope angles,
𝜷𝜷 are given in the Fig (b) while Fig. (a)
shows definition of parameters for
midpoint circle type of failure;
a. For β > 53o , All cycles are toe cycles
b. For β < 53o , the critical circle may
be a toe, slope, or midpoint circle,
depending on the location of the firm
base under the slope.
The location of the firm base can be
defined by depth function D:
𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇 𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃
𝑫𝑫 =
𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯 𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 (𝑯𝑯)
Note: This Figs are only valid for slopes
of saturated clay and is applicable to only
35
undrained conditions (𝜙𝜙 = 0).
 6.4: Circular surface of failure (cont..)
𝟔𝟔. 𝟒𝟒. 𝟐𝟐: 𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒 𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚𝐚 𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩𝐩 (cont.…)
Note: The location of the centre of the critical toe
circle (β > 53o ) may be found with the aid of the
Fig. on the RHS.

c. When the critical circle is a midpoint circle (i.e., the

failure surface is tangent to the firm base), its position
can be determined with the aid of the Fig. below.

36
FigA. Location of midpoint circle (Based on Fellenius, 1927; and
Terzaghi and Peck, 1967)
 Stability of finite slope (Example 1)
A cut slope is to be made in a soft saturated clay with its sides rising at an angle
of 600 to the horizontal (See the Figure). Given: 𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑢 = 40 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑚𝑚2 and 𝛾𝛾 =
17.5 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑚𝑚3 .
a. Determine the maximum depth up to which the excavation can be carried
out.
b. Find the radius, r, of the critical circle when the factor of safety is equal to 1
(Part a).
c. Find the distance BC.

Fig. Example

37
 Stability of finite slope (Solution 1)
a. Since the slope angle 𝛽𝛽 = 600 > 530 , the critical circle is a toe circle.
Thus, From Fig on slide 33, for 𝛽𝛽 = 600 , the stability number m = 0.195.
𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒖 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒
𝑯𝑯𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 = = = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 𝒎𝒎
𝜸𝜸𝜸𝜸 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.𝟓𝟓 𝐱𝐱 𝟎𝟎.𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏

b. From the geometry of the Fig.

𝑯𝑯𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄
𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 𝑨𝑨𝑪𝑪 sin 𝜶𝜶
𝒓𝒓 = 𝜃𝜃 = → 𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 = =
sin 𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐
2
𝑯𝑯𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄
sin 𝜶𝜶
𝑯𝑯𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄
𝒓𝒓 = 𝟐𝟐
𝜃𝜃 = 𝜃𝜃
sin 2 sin 𝛼𝛼 sin
2 2
From Fig. (RHS) slide 35, for 𝛽𝛽 = 600 ,𝛼𝛼 = 350 and 𝜃𝜃= 72.50 . Then,
𝑯𝑯𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕
𝒓𝒓 = 𝜃𝜃 = 72.5= 17.28 m
2 sin 𝛼𝛼 sin 2 sin 60 sin
2 2

c. From the geometry of the figure:

38
 Stability of finite slope (Example 2)
A cut slope was excavated in a saturated clay. The slope made an angle of 400 with
the horizontal. Slope failure occurred when the cut reached a depth of 6.1 m.
Previous soil explorations showed that a rock layer was located at a depth of 9.15 m
below the ground surface. Assuming an undrained condition and 𝛾𝛾 = 17.29 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑚𝑚3 ,
find the following.
a. Determine the undrained cohesion of the clay
b. What was the nature of the critical circle?
c. With reference to the toe of the slope, at what distance did the surface of sliding
intersect the bottom of the excavation?.

Hints:
𝛽𝛽 = 600
𝛾𝛾 = 17.29 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑚𝑚3
𝑯𝑯𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 = 9.15 𝑚𝑚
𝑯𝑯 = 6.1 𝑚𝑚
Distance=n𝑯𝑯

39
 Stability of finite slope (Example 2)
a) With reference to the Figs. Shown on slide 35, the value of D can be
obtained as:
9.15
D= = 1.5,
6.1
𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐮
Given that, 𝛾𝛾𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = 17.29 kN/m3 but 𝐇𝐇𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜 =
𝛄𝛄𝛄𝛄

From Fig (b) (slide 34), for 𝛽𝛽 = 40o and D=1.5, then m will be 0.175.
Therefore:
𝐜𝐜𝒖𝒖 = 𝐇𝐇𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜 𝛄𝛄𝛄𝛄 = 6.1 x 17.29 x0.175 =18.46 𝐤𝐤𝐤𝐤/𝐦𝐦𝟐𝟐

b) Midpoint circle

c) By using Fig. A on slide 35, for D=1.5 and 𝛽𝛽 = 40o then n will be 0.9.
Therefore:
Distance = 𝐇𝐇𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜 𝐧𝐧= 6.1x0.9 = 5.49 m

40
 6. Stability of finite slope (cont..)
6.5: Method of slice
𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰𝑰
Stability analysis by using the method of slices can be explained with the use of Fig. S1, in
which AC is an arc of a circle representing the trial failure surface. The soil above the trial
failure surface is divided into several vertical slices. The width of each slice need not be the
same. Considering a typical slice, called 𝑛𝑛𝑡𝑡𝑡 slice, as shown in Fig. S2. It is assumed that a unit
length is measured perpendicular to cross section in Fig. S2. The objective here is to find the
factor of safety based on this method. More detail can be found on the next slides.
Fig. S1: trial failure
surface

Fig. S2:
Forces acting
on 𝒏𝒏𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 slice
41
 6. Stability of finite slope (cont..)
6.5. Method of slice (cont..)
𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴 𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 (Homogeneous soil)
As can be seen in Fig. S2, 𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛 is the weight of slice, 𝑁𝑁𝑟𝑟 , 𝑇𝑇𝑟𝑟 are the normal and tangential
components of the reaction R, 𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 , 𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛+1 are the normal forces that act on the sides of the slice.
Similarly, the shearing forces that act on the sides of the slice are 𝑇𝑇𝑛𝑛 , and 𝑇𝑇𝑛𝑛+1 . For simplicity,
it is assumed that the pore water pressure is zero and resultants 𝑷𝑷𝒏𝒏 and 𝑻𝑻𝒏𝒏 are equal in
magnitude to 𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛+1 and 𝑇𝑇𝑛𝑛+1 and their lines of action coincide.
For Equilibrium consideration:
• Normal force: 𝑁𝑁𝑟𝑟 = 𝑊𝑊𝑛𝑛 cos𝛼𝛼𝑛𝑛
𝜏𝜏𝑓𝑓 𝜏𝜏𝑓𝑓
• Resisting shear force: 𝑇𝑇𝑟𝑟 = 𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑 (∆𝐿𝐿𝑛𝑛 )(1), but 𝐹𝐹𝑠𝑠 = , → 𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑 =
𝜏𝜏𝑑𝑑 𝐹𝐹𝑠𝑠
𝝉𝝉𝒇𝒇 𝟏𝟏
∴ 𝑻𝑻𝒓𝒓 = (∆𝑳𝑳𝒏𝒏 )= 𝒄𝒄′ + 𝝈𝝈′𝒏𝒏 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝝓𝝓 ∆𝑳𝑳𝒏𝒏
′
𝑭𝑭𝒔𝒔 𝑭𝑭𝒔𝒔
𝑁𝑁 𝑾𝑾 cos 𝜶𝜶
• Normal stress: 𝝈𝝈′𝒏𝒏 = 𝑟𝑟
= 𝒏𝒏 𝒏𝒏
,
∆𝐿𝐿𝑛𝑛(1), ∆𝑳𝑳𝒏𝒏
• For equilibrium of the trial wedge ABC, the moment of the driving force about O
equals the moment of the resisting force about O:
This is given as:

𝑏𝑏𝑛𝑛
Therefore: , where ∆𝐿𝐿𝑛𝑛 =
42 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝛼𝛼𝑛𝑛
 6. Stability of finite slope (cont..)
6.4. Method of slice (cont..)
𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐌 𝐨𝐨𝐨𝐨 𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬 (Layered soil)
The method of slices can be extended to slopes with layered soil, as shown in Fig. S3. The
procedure of stability analysis is the same as that discussed in the previous slide (slide 40 -
41). However, some minor points should be kept in mind. When previous Eq. is used for
the factor of safety calculation, the values of 𝑐𝑐 ′ and 𝜙𝜙 ′ will not be the same for all slices.
For instance, let consider the slice No. 3 (see Fig. S3), friction angle of 𝜙𝜙 ′ = 𝜙𝜙3′ , and
cohesion 𝑐𝑐 ′ = 𝑐𝑐3′ : similarly for slice No. 2, 𝜙𝜙 ′ = 𝜙𝜙2′ and 𝑐𝑐 ′ = 𝑐𝑐2′
Note:
The value of 𝛼𝛼𝑛𝑛 may either be positive or negative.
The value of 𝛼𝛼𝑛𝑛 is positive when the slope of the arc
is in the same quadrant as the ground slope. To find
the minimum factor of safety, one must make
several trials by changing the centre of the trial
circle.

43
 6. Stability of finite slope (cont..)
6.5: Method of slice (cont..)
𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴𝑴 𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 (Procedure summary)
The procedure can be summarised as follows:
• Take a trial wedge and divide it into vertical slices (6 to 12)
• Determine the weight of each slice and its line of action (for convenient the
weight is generally taken proportional to the middle ordinate of the slice
and is assumed to have line of its action through the middle of each slice)
• The weight is resolved (analytically or graphically) into normal and
tangential components.
• The curved length ∆𝐿𝐿 of each slice is measured or computed
• The factor of safety is determined as discussed in the lecture.

The calculations are generally done in tabular form.

Stability analysis is repeated for a number of trial surfaces.
The circle which give the minimum factor of safety is the most critical
circle
44
 Stability of finite slope (Example 1)
For the slope shown in Fig. S4, find the factor of safety against sliding for the
trial slip surface AC. Use the method of slices.

Fig. S4: Stability analysis of a slope by method of slices

45
 Stability of finite slope (Solution 1)
The sliding wedge is divided into seven slices. Now the following table can be
prepared:
Table:

46
 Stability of finite slope (Example 2)
For the slope shown in Fig. S4, find the factor of safety against sliding for
the trial slip surface. Use the method of slices.
Soil Parameters:
c ′ = 20 kN/m2
ϕ′ = 30o
γ′ = 20 kN/m3
θ = 71o
r = 12 m
H=7m
W= 𝜸𝜸′ (hba)
h= average height of each slice
b= width of slice
a = unit length
hba = Volume
Plot N and T Diagrams

47 Fig. S5: Stability analysis of a slope by method of slices

 Stability of finite slope (Solution 2)
The sliding wedge is divided into 6 slices of equal width
of 2 m. The calculation are shown in tabular form below:

48
 Exercise/Tutorial Questions
Question 1:
A sea is required at a housing project for drainage and recreation. The soil
profile is shown in Figure 1 below. Based on historical weather data and nearby
drainage conditions, the water level is expected to fluctuate by 2 m. A 1 (V): 1.5
(H) slope is selected. Evaluate the stability of this slope.

49
 Exercise/Tutorial Questions
Question 2:
For the slope shown below, find the factor of safety against sliding. Plot the N
and T diagrams

50
51