Slope stability

Abstract

For the analysis of the stability of slopes of arbitrary shape and composition various approximate methods have been developed. Many of these assume a circular slip surface. Using a number of simplifying assumptions a value for the safety factor F, the ratio of strength and load, is determined. The circle giving the smallest value of F is considered to be critical. The multitude of methods (developed by Fellenius, Taylor, Bishop, Morgenstern -Price, Spencer, among others) in itself illustrates that none of them is exact. The results should always be handled with care. A value F = 1.05 gives no absolute certainty that the slope will stand. In this chapter two of the simplest methods will be presented.