Probabilistic stability analyses of layered excavated slopes. Issue 3 (27th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, D.; Griffiths, D. V.; Fenton, G. A.
• Is Part Of: Géotechnique letters. Volume 9:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2019-04-27
• Subjects: anisotropy -- failure -- slopes; Geotechnical engineering -- Periodicals; Engineering geology -- Periodicals; 624.151
• DOI: 10.1680/jgele.18.00252
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-2543

Abstract

Abstract : The random finite-element method (RFEM) is employed to study the effect of vertical spatial soil variability on the stability of layered excavated slopes. Particular emphasis of the paper is on the critical or 'worst-case' vertical spatial correlation length, at which the probability of slope failure reaches a maximum. The RFEM results indicate that layered slopes with a relatively low mean factor of safety or a relatively high coefficient of variation of soil strength, are most likely to display the 'worst-case' phenomenon. The 'worst-case' phenomenon is explained by observing the failure mechanisms in layered soils where the critical spatial correlation length optimizes the number of horizontal paths of weaker soil available for the mechanism to pass through.