Pseudo-dynamic analysis of seismic stability of reinforced slopes considering non-associated flow rule

The required reinforcement force to prevent instability and the yield acceleration of reinforced slopes are computed under seismic loading by applying the kinematic approach of limit analysis in conjunction with the pseudo-dynamic method for a wide range of soil cohesion, friction angle, dilation angle and horizontal and vertical seismic coefficients. Each parameter threatening the stability of the slope enhances the magnitude of the required reinforcement force and vice versa. Moreover, the yield acceleration increases with the increase in soil shear strength parameters but decreases with the increase in the slope angle. The comparison of the present work with some of the available solutions in the literatures shows a reasonable agreement.

A vector sum analysis method for stability evolution of expansive soil slope considering shear zone damage softening

Slope stability analysis is a classical mechanical problem in geotechnical engineering and engineering geology.It is of great significance to study the stability evolution of expansive soil slopes for engineering construction in expansive soil areas.Most of the existing studies evaluate the slope stability by analyzing the limit equilibrium state of the slope,and the analysis method for the stability evolution considering the damage softening of the shear zone is lacking.In this study,the large deformation shear mechanical behavior of expansive soil was investigated by ring shear test.The damage softening characteristic of expansive soil in the shear zone was analyzed,and a shear damage model reflecting the damage softening behavior of expansive soil was derived based on the damage theory.Finally,by skillfully combining the vector sum method and the shear damage model,an analysis method for the stability evolution of the expansive soil slope considering the shear zone damage softening was proposed.The results show that the shear zone subjected to large displacement shear deformation exhibits an obvious damage softening phenomenon.The damage variable equation based on the logistic function can be well used to describe the shear damage characteristics of expansive soil,and the proposed shear damage model is in good agreement with the ring shear test results.The vector sum method considering the damage softening behavior of the shear zone can be well applied to analyze the stability evolution characteristics of the expansive soil slope.The stability factor of the expansive soil slope decreases with the increase of shear displacement,showing an obvious progressive failure behavior.

Influence of Gradient on Stability of Soil Slope Containing Roots

Abundant herbaceous and shrub roots play an important role in preventing water and soil erosion and increasing shallow slope stability. In order to make a quantitative analysis on the contribution of root system to slope stability under dif- ferent slope gradient, an unconsolidated and undrained triaxial compression test was conducted to measure the shear strengths of soil and root-soil composite in the two slopes in eastern Qinghai Province. In addition, under the protection of plant roots, the effect of gradient on stability of soil slope was investigated by limit equilibrium method. The results showed that the stability coefficient of soil slope planted with two kinds of brush was decreased with the increase in slope gradient, and the sta- bility coefficient increment of soil slope containing Atriplex canescens roots was higher than that containing Caragana korshinskii roots. When the slope gradient ranged from 25° to 50°, the stability coefficient of soil slope planted with Atriplex canescens or Caragana korshinskii ranged from 0.80 to 1.38. However, when the slope gradient exceeded 55°, the increment of stability coefficient of soil slope became small.

Stability analysis of unsaturated soil slope during rainfall infiltration using coupled liquid-gas-solid three-phase model

Generally, most soil slope failures are induced by rainfall infiltration, a process that involves interactions between the liquid phase, gas phase,and solid skeleton in an unsaturated soil slope. In this study, a loosely coupled liquid-gas-solid three-phase model, linking two numerical codes,TOUGH2/EOS3, which is used for water-air two-phase flow analysis, and FLAC^(3D), which is used for mechanical analysis, was established. The model was validated through a documented water drainage experiment over a sandy column and a comparison of the results with measured data and simulated results from other researchers. The proposed model was used to investigate the features of water-air two-phase flow and stress fields in an unsaturated soil slope during rainfall infiltration. The slope stability analysis was then performed based on the simulated water-air two-phase seepage and stress fields on a given slip surface. The results show that the safety factor for the given slip surface decreases first, then increases, and later decreases until the rainfall stops. Subsequently, a sudden rise occurs. After that, the safety factor decreases continually and reaches its lowest value, and then increases slowly to a steady value. The lowest value does not occur when the rainfall stops, indicating a delayed effect of the safety factor. The variations of the safety factor for the given slip surface are therefore caused by a combination of pore-air pressure, matric suction, normal stress, and net normal stress.

Limit equilibrium analysis for stability of soil nailed slope and optimum design of soil nailing parameters

Reinforcement of slopes using soil nailing can effectively improve slope stability, and it has been widely used in upgrading cut slopes. Based on the assumptions of stresses on the slip surface, a new method for analyzing the stability of a slope reinforced with soil nails was established in the limit equilibrium theory framework, by considering that slope sliding occurs owing to shear failure of the slip surface, which subjects to Mohr–Coulomb(M–C) strength criterion. Meanwhile, in order to easily analyze the stability of a soil nailed slope in actual engineering and facilitate optimum design of parameters for soil nailing, factor of safety(FOS) contour curve charts were drawn on the basis of the established linear proportional relationship between the spacing of soil nails and slope height, and the length of soil nails and slope height. Then, by analyzing and verifying the results obtained from classic examples, some conclusions can be got as follows: 1) The results obtained from the current method are close to those obtained from the traditional limit equilibrium methods, and the current method can provide a strict solution for the slope FOS as it satisfies all the static equilibrium conditions of a sliding body, thus confirming the feasibility of the current method; 2) The slope FOS contour curve charts can be used not only to reliably analyze the stability of a soil nailed slope, but also to design optimally the parameters of soil nailing for the slope with a certain safety requirement.

A new design equation for drained stability of conical slopes in cohesive-frictional soils

New plasticity solutions to the drained stability of conical slopes in homogeneous cohesive-frictional soils were investigated by axisymmetric finite element limit analysis. Three parameters were studied,i.e. excavated height ratios, slope inclination angles, and soil friction angles. The influences of these parameters on the stability factor and predicted failure mechanism of conical slopes were discussed. A new design equation developed from a nonlinear regression of the lower bound solution was proposed for drained stability analyses of a conical slope in practice. Numerical examples were given to demonstrate a practical application of the proposed equation to stability evaluations of conical slopes with both associated and non-associated flow rules.

A pseudo-coupled numerical approach for stability analysis of frozen soil slopes based on finite element limit analysis method

To simplify the stability analysis of frozen soil slope, a pseudo-coupled numerical approach is developed. In this approach, the coupled heat transfer and water flow in frozen soils are simulated first, and based on the computed thermal-hydro field, the stability of frozen soil slope is evaluated. Although the shear strength for frozen soil is very complicated and is usually represented by a nonlinear MC failure criterion, a simple linear MC yield criterion is utilized. In this method, the internal friction angle is expressed as a function of volumetric ice content and the cohesion is fitted as a simple bilinear expression of Tand volumetric water content. To assess slope stability, the limit analysis is employed in conjunction with the recently developed a-section search algorithm. A frozen soil slope example is used to examine the proposed pseudo-coupled numerical approach, and numerical studies validate its effectiveness. Based on numerical results, it is seen that slope stability may be remarkably influenced by warming air （or grotmd surface） temperature. With increasing ground surface temperature, slope stability indicated by FOS may reduce to 1.0, implying that wanning air temperature could be a trigger of frozen soil slope failure.

Stability analysis of cohesive soil embankment slope based on discrete element method

In order to study the safety factor and instability process of cohesive soil slope, the discrete element method(DEM) was applied. DEM software PFC2 D was used to simulate the triaxial test to study the influence of the particle micro parameters on the macroscopic characteristics of cohesive soil and calibrate the micro parameters of DEM model on this basis. Embankment slope stability analysis was carried out by strength reduction and gravity increase method, it is shown that the safety factor obtained by strength reduction method is more conservative, and the arc-shaped feature of the sliding surface under the gravity increase method is more obvious. Throughout the progressive failure process, the failure trends, maximum displacements, and velocity changes obtained by the two methods were consistent. When slope was destroyed, the upper part was cracked, the middle part was sheared, and the lower part was destroyed by extrusion. The conclusions of this paper can be applied to the safety factor calculation of cohesive soil slopes and the analysis of the instability process.

3D stability assessment of stepped slopes in inhomogeneous soils

Stability assessment of slopes has historically been performed assuming soils to be homogeneous in two-dimensional(2D) cases. In real cases, soils are usually inhomogeneous, and each slope collapse indicates a three-dimensional(3D) nature. Based on a 3D rotational failure mechanism, this work develops an approach to account for the impact of the vertical strength inhomogeneity on the 3D stability of stepped slopes. Seismic actions are taken into account by introducing the concept of a horizontal seismic coefficient. An upper-bound expression for stability factors is derived in the light of the kinematic approach, and the most critical solution is obtained from an optimization programming. In comparison with the previously published solutions, the validity of the proposed method is shown. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to discuss parametric effects on the stability of 3D stepped inhomogeneous slopes.

Energy analysis of geosynthetic-reinforced slope in unsaturated soils subjected to steady flow

Soils are actually unsaturated in nature. In the present study, a stability analysis of a geosynthetic-reinforced slope in unsaturated soils subjected to various steady flow conditions is conducted based on limit analysis. Work rate by apparent cohesion due to matric suction is calculated based on the effective stress-based equation. Analytical expression of the required cohesion/stability number of slope is derived from the energy balance equation. An optimization code is programmed to capture the optimized solution of the stability number. Comparison is made to verify the present work and a parametric analysis is conducted to investigate the effects of soil type, infilitration rate, reinforcement strength and soil suction on slope stability afterwards. A set of numerical solutions is presented at the end of the paper for preliminary design purposes.

Upper Bound Solution of Soil Slope Stability under Coupling Effect of Rainfall and Earthquake

Based on the limit analysis upper bound method,a new model of soil slope collapse has been proposed which consists of two rigid block zones and a plastic shear zone.Soil slope was induced failure by coupling effect of rainfall and earthquake,and these blocks were also incorporated horizontal earthquake force and vertical gravitate.The velocities and forces were analyzed in three blocks,and the expression of velocity discontinuities was obtained by the principle of incompressibility.The external force work for the blocks,the internal energy of the plastic shear zone and the velocity discontinuous were solved.The present stability ratios are compared to the prevenient research,which shows the superiority of the mechanism and rationality of the analysis.The critical height of the soil slope can provide theoretical basis for slope support and design.

A new method for the stability analysis of geosynthetic-reinforced slopes

This paper is concerned with the stability analysis of reinforced slopes.A new approach based on the limit equilibrium principle is proposed to evaluate the stability of the reinforced slopes.The effect of reinforcement is modeled as an equivalent restoring force acting the bottom of the slice and added into the general limit equilibrium(GLE) method.The equations of force and moment equilibrium of the slice are derived and corresponding iterative solution methods are provided.The new method can satisfy both the force and the moment equilibrium and be applicable to the critical failure surface of arbitrary form.Furthermore,the results predicted by the proposed method are compared with the calculation examples of other researchers and the centrifuge model test results to validate its correctness and effectiveness.

Novel protection systems for the improvement in soil and water stability of expansive soil slopes

To improve the soil and water stability of expansive soil slopes and reduce the probability of slope failure,novel protection systems based on polymer waterproof coatings(PWC)were used in this study.Herein,three groups of expansive soil slope model tests were designed to investigate the effects of polyester nonwovens and PWC(P-PWC)composite protection system,three-dimensional vegetation network and PWC(T-PWC)composite protection system,and nonprotection on the soil and water behavior in the slopes under precipitation–evaporation cycles.The results showed that the moisture change of P-PWC and T-PWC composite protected slopes was significantly smaller than that of bare slope,which reduced the sensitivity of slope moisture to environmental changes and improved its stability.The soil temperature of the slope protected by the P-PWC and T-PWC systems at a depth of 70 cm increased by 5.6℃ and 2.7℃,respectively.Using PWC composite protection systems exhibited better thermal storage performance,which could increase the utilization of shallow geothermal resources.Moreover,the maximum average crack widths of the bare slopes were 7.89 and 3.17 times those of the P-PWC and TPWC protected slopes,respectively,and the maximum average crack depths were 6.87 and 3 times those of the P-PWC and T-PWC protected slopes,separately.The PPWC protection system weakened the influence of hydro–thermal coupling on the slopes,inhibited the development of cracks on the slopes,and reduced the soil erosion.The maximum soil erosion of slopes protected by P-PWC and T-PWC systems was 332 and 164 times lower than that of bare slope,respectively.The P-PWC and T-PWC protection systems achieved excellent"anti-seepage and moisture retention"and anti-erosion effects,thus improving the soil and water stability of slopes.These findings can provide important guiding reference for controlling rainwater infiltration and soil erosion in expansive soil slope projects.

Analytical expressions for determining the stability of cohesionless soil slope under generalized seismic conditions

In recent major earthquakes, the researchers have found the need for consideration of vertical seismic acceleration for the stability analysis of the man-made and natural slopes. However, in most past studies, the performance of slopes has been assessed by accounting only the horizontal seismic component of the ground motion, without giving due weightage to the effect of vertical component. In the present study, analytical expressions are derived to determine the factor of safety, yield seismic coefficient and consequently the seismic displacement of cohesionless soil slope under combined horizontal and vertical components of the ground motion. The derivation uses the Newmark's sliding block approach, in which the soil slope with a planar failure surface within the framework of conventional pseudo-static analysis is assumed to follow the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. The effects of vertical seismic coefficient on the stability of cohesionless slope have been studied through a set of graphical presentations for a specific range of soil parameters. It is observed that overlooking the effect of the vertical component of the ground motion on factor of safety and the displacement while designing the slope may be detrimental, resulting in the slope failure. The general expressions presented in this paper may be highly useful in the field of earthquake geotechnical engineering practice for designing the cohesionless soil slopes under combined horizontal and vertical seismic loads.

Coupled Numerical Analysis of the Stability Behaviour of Unsaturated Soil Slopes Under Rainfall Conditions

The stability behaviour of unsaturated soil slopes under rainfall conditions is investigated via a parametric finite element analysis, which is a fully coupled flow and deformation approach linked to a dynamic programming technique for determining the minimum factor of safety as well as its corresponding critical slip surface based on the stress fields from the numerical computation. The effects of rainfall features, soil strength parameters and permeability properties on slope stability are studied. The analyses revealed that the soil matric suction decreased during rainfall, especially in slopes with high permeability and/or with high suction angles of unsaturated soils. The influence of rainfall conditions on such slopes is quite obvious, and soil suction drops rapidly, which leads to a consequent quick reduction in the factor of safety.

Effect of the frozen layer on the stability of cut soil slopes during seasonal freezing and thawing

Research on the stability of soil slopes in seasonally frozen regions has mainly focused on slope failures during the thawing window.There are few studies on slope stability during the freezing window and its subsequent influence on slope failure in the next thawing window.In this paper,soil strength was tested during freezing and thawing to obtain temperature-dependent strength parameters for the simulation of slope stability.Then,the slope's temperature field over an entire year was accurately simulated so that characteristics of the frozen layer could be determined at any time.Based on the above results,the progressive failure modes of frozen soil slopes are discussed.The results show that:1)during the freezing window,depth of the frozen soil layer increases,as does the slope's safety factor,while a yield zone propagates towards the slope shoulder.(2)During the thawing window,the frozen soil layer shrinks in depth while the yield zone continuously expands,which decreases the safety factor.Comprehensive analysis of these results indicate that the frozen layer provides a“toe-locking effect”that increases the safety factor during the freezing window,while it also provides a“dragging effect”that propagates the yield zone towards the slope shoulder.During the thawing window,the“toe-locking effect”gradually diminishes;a continuous sliding surface is formed,which lead to a landslide.The frozen soil layer of the freezing window accelerates the slope sliding in the thawing window.

Stability analysis of slopes of expansive soils considering rainfall effect

Typical failure types of slopes of expansive soils are divided to two kinds： slip in surface layer and slip in shallow layer. Based on total strength law of expansive soils, the relationship between its water content and shear strength inculding cohesion and friction angle, was studied in detail. Acoording to change of water content and depth effect during rainfall, distribution of shear strength in slopes of expansive soils was analyzed. Finally, with a slope of expansive soils in Nanning city of Guangxi Autonomous Region of China as a case, safety factor and slip surface was studied.

Flume experiments to study fine-grain migration and its impact on slope stability

Fine grains migration is a primary cause of landslides and debris flows.This study investigates the effect of fine-grain migration on slope failure through flume experiments,focusing on the spatiotemporal characteristics and mechanisms of slope stability.A series of artificial rainfall flume experiments with varying rainfall intensities and slopes were conducted using soil samples collected from Wei Jia Gully.The experiments monitored pore-water pressure,grain migration,and failure sequences.Grain-size distribution parameters(μand Dc)were analyzed to understand the migration path and accumulation of fine grains.The experiments reveal that fine-grain migration significantly alters soil structure,leading to random blockage and interconnection of internal pore channels.These changes result in fluctuating pore-water pressure distributions and uneven fine-grain accumulation,critical factors in slope stability.Slope failures occur randomly and intermittently,influenced by fine-grain content in runoff and resulting pore-water pressure variations.This study highlights that fine-grain migration plays a vital role in slope stability,with significant implications for predicting and mitigating slope failures.The stochastic nature of fine-grain migration and its impact on soil properties should be incorporated into predictive models to enhance their accuracy and reliability.

Failure behavior of soil-rock mixture slopes based on centrifuge model test

The stability of soil-rock mixtures(SRMs) that widely distributed in slopes is of significant concern for slope safety evaluation and disaster prevention. The failure behavior of SRM slopes under surface loading conditions was investigated through a series of centrifuge model tests considering various volumetric gravel contents. The displacement field of the slope was determined with image-based displacement system to observe the deformation of the soil and the movement of the block during loading in the tests. The test results showed that the ultimate bearing capacity and the stiffness of SRM slopes increased evidently when the volumetric block content exceeded a threshold value. Moreover, there were more evident slips around the blocks in the SRM slope. The microscopic analysis of the block motion showed that the rotation of the blocks could aggravate the deformation localization to facilitate the development of the slip surface. The high correlation between the rotation of the key blocks and the slope failure indicated that the blocks became the dominant load-bearing medium that influenced the slope failure. The blocks in the sliding body formed a chain to bear the load and change the displacement distribution of the adjacent matrix sand through the block rotation.

INFLUENCES OF SLOPE GRADIENT ON SOIL EROSION

The main factors influencing soil erosion include the net rain excess, the water depth, the velocity, the shear stress of overland flows, and the erosion-resisting capacity of soil. The laws of these factors varying with the slope gradient were investigated by using the kinematic wave theory. Furthermore, the critical slope gradient of erosion was driven. The analysis shows that the critical slope gradient of soil erosion is dependent on grain size, soil bulk density, surface roughness, runoff length, net rain excess, and the friction coefficient of soil, etc. The critical slope gradient has been estimated theoretically with its range between 41.5 degrees similar to 50 degrees.