Slope stability analysis based on measured strains along soil nails using FBG sensing technology

Abstract

In the past few decades, slope stability analysis using numerical methods is becoming a hot issue, but it is based on extremely ideal assumptions. Soil nailing technique, as one of the most cost-effective reinforcing methods, has already been widely used for reinforcing slopes. In this study, to evaluate the safety factor of a slope, the strains on soil nails were measured by fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor. Strains along soil nails in the same cross section of a slope can be computed using the measured wavelength shifts of FBG sensors. In order to evaluate the stability of a slope, an optimal model was proposed to search the potential slip surfaces based on measured strain values. Maximum sum of strains on soil nails at different elevations of the same cross section was taken as the objective. Positions of soil nails, circular slip surface, and boundary conditions of the soil nails were summarized and taken as constraints. Finally, safety factors can be computed using the searched slip surface regarding the axial stress of soil nails. This method combines the limit equilibrium methods with measured axial strains on site which can reflect the actual condition of field slopes. © 2013 Hua-Fu Pei et al.