Tensile strength, tension cracks, and stability of slopes.

Abstract

A procedure for the evaluation of the effect of tensile strength on slope stability is described. Formulas and charts which enable the determination of the depth of tension cracks and stability numbers for every combination of slope angle, mobilized friction, and tensile strength are given. The maximum depth of tension cracks is 25% of the slope height, and this value occurs for vertical slopes. The increase in stability number (decrease in critical height), which corresponds to a maximum crack not filled with water is of the order of 20%.-from Japanese Geomorphological Union