1

GEO-TECHNICAL ENGINEERING-II

CHAPTER-03(06)
STABILITY OF EARTH SLOPES
TYPES OF SLOPES:
The slopes of earth are of two types,
1. Natural slopes.
2. Man made slopes.
1. Natural Slopes:
The natural slopes are those that exists in nature and are formed by natural causes. Such as slopes exist in hilly areas.
2. Man made slopes:
The sides of cuttings, the slope of embankments constructed for taking roads, railways line, canals etc and the slope
of earth dams constructed for storing water are examples of man made slopes.
The slopes whether natural or artificial may be
1. Infinite slopes
2. Finite slopes
1. Infinite slopes:
The term infinite slope is used to designate a constant slope of infinite extent. The long slope of the face of a
mountain is an example of this type.
2. Finite slopes:
Finite slopes are limited in extent. The slopes of embankment, earth dams are examples of finite slopes.
The slope length depends on the height of the dam or embankment.
CAUSES OF FAILURE OF SLOPES:
The following are the causes of failure of slopes;
1. Gravitational force.
2. Force due to seepage water.
3. Erosion of the surface of slopes due to flowing of water.
4. The sudden lowering of water adjacent to a slope.
5. Forces due to earthquakes.

Component of weight failure surface G.L C

Component of weigh

Firm strata failure surface W.T A

A G.L B
Lowering
of water level
(a).Infinite slope (b). An earth dam B
Ground water table failure
surface

G.L
G.L Seepage parallel to slope (d)
Weight of earth

Earthquake
force

(c).Seepage below a natural slope G.L

(e). Failure due to earthquake

Fig.(1). Forces that act on earth slopes.
The effect of all forces listed is to cause movement of soil from high point to low points. The most important of such
forces is the component of gravity that acts in the direction of probable motion. The various effect of flowing or seeping
water is generally recognized is very important in stability problems, but often these effects have not been properly
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identified. It is a fact that the seepage occurring within a section mass causes seepage forces, which have much greater
effect than is commonly realized.
Erosion on the surface of a slope may be causes of the removal of a certain weight of soil, and may thus lead to an
increased stability as for as mass movement is concerned. On the other hand, erosion in the form of under-cutting at the
toe may increased the height of slope, or decrease the length of incipient failure surface, thus decreasing the stability.
When there is a lowering of the ground water or of a free water surface adjacent to the slope, for example in a sudden
draw-down of the water surface in a reservoir there is a decrease in the bouncy of the soil which is in effect an increasing
in the weight. This increase in weight causes increase in shearing stresses, that may or may not be in part counteracted
by increase in shearing strength, depending upon whether or not the soil is able to undergo compression which the load
increase tends to cause. If a large mass of soil is saturated and is of low permeability, practically no volume changes will
be able to occur except at a slow rate, and inspite of increase of load the strength increase may be appreciable.
Shear at constant volume may be accompanied by a decrease in the intergranuler pressure and an increase in the
neutral pressure. A failure may be caused by such a condition in which the flows like a liquid. A condition of this type may
be developed of the mass of soil is subject to vibration for example, due to earthquake forces.
The various forces that act on slopes are illustrated above fig.(1).
TYPES OF FAILURE OF SLOPES:
The types of failure that normally occur may be classified as;
1. Slope failure
2. Toe failure
3. Base failure
The following figures shows for above failure slopes;
O. Top width Top width
Rotational slide
U/s U/s
R D/s
Circular rupture surface Slope D/s

Soil of high strength

G L G L

(a). Rotational slide (b). Slope failure

Top width Top width

D/s
U/s D/s U/s

Toe Softer soil

Homogeneous soil G L
G L
(c). Toe failure (d). Base failure.

Fig.(2). Types of failure of earth dams.

1. Rotational Slide:
When soils slips along a circular surface, such as a slide may be termed as rotational slide. It involves downward and
outward movement of a slice of earth as shown in fig.2 (a) and sliding occurs along the entire surface of contact between
the slice and its base.
2. Slope failure:
In slope failure, the are of the rupture surface meets the slope above the toe. This can happen when the slope angle β
is quite high and the soil close to the toe possesses high strength.
3. Toe failure:
Toe failure occurs when the soil mass of the dam above the base below the base is homogeneous.
4. Base failure:
The failure occurs particularly when the base angle β is low and the soil below the base is softer and more plastic than
the soil above the base is called base failure.
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STABILITY OF FINITE AND INFINITE SLOPES:
a. Stability of finite slopes
A finite slope is one which a base and a top surface, the height being limited. The inclined faces of earth dams,
embankments, excavation and the like are all finite slopes. Thus, the stability analysis of such slopes is of vital importance
to the geotechnical engineering profession.
Investigation of the stability of finite slopes involves the following steps according to the commonly adopted procedure;
a. Assuming a possible slip surface,
b. Studying the equilibrium of the forces acting on this surface, and
c. Repeating the process until worst slip surface, that is the one with minimum margin of safety is found.
Failure of finite slopes is cohesive or cohesive-frictional soils tends to occur by rotation, the slip surface approximating
to the arc of a circle as shown in figure.(3) below.

Tension crack

Heave of material @ toe

Slip circle

GL
Toe
(a). Slope in cohesive materials. (b). Slip surface of a slope in cohesive materials.
Fig.(3). Typical characteristics of the rotational slip in a cohesive soil.
The following important methods will be considered;
i. Total stress analysis for purely cohesive soil.
ii. Total stress analysis for cohesive-frictional soil-the Swedish method of slices.
iii. Effective stress analysis for conditions of safety seepage, rapid drawdown and immediately after
construction.
iv. Effective stress analysis by Bishop’s method.
v. Friction circle method.
vi. Taylor’s Stability Number.
b. Stability of infinite slopes:
An infinite slope is one which represents the boundary surface of a semi-infinite soil mass inclined to the horizontal. In
practice, if the height of the slope is very large, one may consider it as an infinite one. It is assumed that the soil is
homogeneous in its properties. If different strata are present the strata boundaries are assumed to be parallel to the
surface. Failure tends to occur only along a plane parallel to the surface. The stability analysis for such slopes is relatively
simple and it is dealt with for the cases of purely cohesionless soil, purely cohesive soil and cohesive frictional soil; the
cases in which seepage forces under steady seepage and rapid drawdown occur are also considered for a purely
cohesionless soil.
a. Infinite slope in cohesionless soil

opp Hypo

T
W
T N β
W Adj

N
(a). Infinite slope (b). Triangle forces
Fig.(4). Infinite slope in a cohesionless soil.
Let us consider an infinite slope in cohesionless soil, inclination is W, the components of W parallel to and
perpendicular to surface of the slope are T=Wsinβ and N=Wcosβ respectively. The maximum force restraining the slide
action of T is the shear resistance that could be mobilized by the normal component N. For cohesinless soil, this is given
by NtanΦ or WcosβtanΦ.
Where, Φ is the angle of internal friction.
The factor of safety F against sliding or failure is given by
F=Restraining force= WcosβtanΦ.=tanΦ/tanβ ----------------(1).
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Sliding force Wsinβ
For equilibrium (F=1),
tanβ=tanΦ
β=Φ
b. Infinite slope in purely cohesive soil: τ

β
ΦI
W H D A

F CI

β
β σn O E B σn σ
σv
Fig.(5). Stability analysis of infinite slopes in clays.
The vertical stress σv acting on the plane AB where, σ v=γHcosβ is representing by OC in fig(5) in the stress diagram.
The normal stress on this plane is OE and shearing stress is EC. The line OC makes an angle β with the σ-axis.
The Mohr’s strength envelope is represented by the line FA whose equation is τ= c i+ σitanΦ
According to the envelope, the shearing strength is ED. Where the normal stress is OE.
When β is greater than Φi the lines OC and FD meet. In the case the two lines meets at A. So long the shearing stress on
a plane is less than the failure. Fig.(5) indicates that at all depths at which the direct stress is less than OB, the shearing
strength and shearing stress values are equal as represented by AB, failure is imminent. This depth at which the shearing
stress and shearing strength are equal is called as critical depth.

STABILITY CALCULATION BY METHOD OF SLICES(SWEDISH METHOD):

Procedure:
1. Draw the embankment with respect to given data i.e., slope, radius etc.

O.
R Top embankment

θ
R b
U/s 1 D/s
b Slip circle
R
2 Slices
R R
b θ1
H R R R N1
GL 3 T1
b
b6 b 4 W1
5 θ2
Fig.(6). Method of slices
Θ3 T2 N2
T3 W2
N3
2. Draw the slip circle with a radius ‘R’ from origin O. W3
3. Now divide the slices at equal width b and these slices may limited upto 8 maximum numbers.
4. Now locate the centre line of weight(w) in each slices and join the radius line to each slice centre at slip
circle from origin O.
5. Now locate the triangle of each slip circle i.e, Normal force N and tangential force T.
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i.e, N=Wcosθ-------(1) +ve towards clockwise
T=Wsinθ--------(2) +ve towards clockwise
Where,
W=γbh-----(3)
γ= Unit weight of soil in kN/m3
b=Width of each slice in meters
h=Depth of each slice in meters
5. Now make the tabular column for calculation ΣN and ΣT i.e,
Sl.No Area in m2=b*h Weight W in KN Normal components N in Tangential components
KN-Wcosθ T=Wsinθ
1
2
3
4
5
.
.
N ΣN=------KN ΣT=-------KN

7. Calculate sliding moment=R ΣT

8. Calculate restoring moment=R(CL+ ΣNtanΦ)
9. Calculate L=Rθ--------------(θ in radians=θ*π/180)
10.Calculate factor of safety;
F.S=Restoring moment/Sliding moment= R(CL+ ΣNtanΦ)/ R ΣT= (CL+ ΣNtanΦ)/ ΣT=---------in number.
The Swedish method of slices is a general approach which is equally applicable to homogeneous soils, stratified
deposits, particularly submerged cases and non-uniform slopes. Seepage effects also can be considered.

STABILITY CALCULATION BY FELLINEOUS METHOD:

Following are the procedure to calculate factor of safety by using fellineous method.

1. Draw the embankment as per given slope or slope angle.

Curve of factor of safety

αB=Direction angle
O. B Top level

R Chord length L=2Rsinθ

Direction angle
αA H
Trial circle
β
GL A

Slope angle
H

E
4.5H D

Fig.(7). Location of centers of critical circle passing through toe of dam.

2. Take total height of embankment (H) and locate H distance below the GL as shown in above figure.
3. Locate the distance i.e., 4.5H from E to a point D at 4.5H.
4. Now select the direction angles @ point A & B i.e.,  A0 &A point and  B0 @B point.
5. Join these two direction angles from A&B point i.e., meeting @ O point.
6. Now draw the locus of centers of critical circles from point @ O point.
7. Repeat this step with respect to different direction angles and draw the trial circle.
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8. Now locate min factor of safety.
9. Now refer the direction angles  A0 and  B0 for centers of critical circles.
Slope Slope angle β Direction angles
 0
A  B0
0.6:1 600 29 40
1:1 450 28 37
1.5:1 33.80 26 35
2:1 26.60 25 35
3:1 18.30 25 35
5:1 11.30 25 37
10. Calculate factor of safety;
F.S=(CL+ ΣNtanΦ)/ ΣT=---------in number.
Where, L=Length of the chord=2Rsinθ
C=Apparent cohesion in KN/m2
Φ=Angle of internal friction of soil in degrees.
This method is applicable for a homogeneous (C-Φ) soil. When the soil is purely cohesive and homogeneous. The
direction angles given in table above, directly gives the centers for the most dangerous critical circle.

TAYLOR’S STABILITY NUMBER:

β
A ΦI
H D

G.L
W B
τ CI C

β
A σ
σn E B
σv
Fig.9.(a).Stability analysis of infinite slopes in clay soils. Fig. 9.(b).Shear stress
diagram
From fig.(9).
τ= ci+ σitaniΦ--------------------------(1)
τ=γHsinβcosβ
σi=γHcos2β
substituting in equation (1)
Cim= γHcos2β(tan β-tanΦim)
Or
Ns=Cim/γH= cos2β(tan β-tanΦim)
Where,
H=is the allowable height and
term Cim/γH is a dimensionless expression called the stability number and is designated as Ns.
The stability number with respect to cohesion is given by
Ns=Ci/(Fc*γH)= cos2β(tan β-tanΦi)------------------(2)
Where,Cim=Ci/Fc
The stability number in equation (2)
Ns= Ci/(Fc*γH)= Ci/γHc------------------------------(3)
Where,Hc=called critical height from equation(3).
Fc=Hc/H=FH-------------------------------------------(4)
Therefore, it indicates that the factor of safety with respect to cohesion, F c is the same as the factors of safety w,.r.t.height
FH.
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1. A laboratory test gave the following soil parameters c=40kN/m 2,Φ=300. The expected parameters of the
mobilized shearing resistance are c=25kN/m 2,Φm=220. The average effective pressure on the failure plane is
150kN/m2. Find factors of safety with respect to average shearing strength, cohesion and internal friction.
Solution: Given data:
a. C=40kN/m2
b. Φ=300
c. cm=25kN/m2
d. Φm=220
e.   =150kN/m2
f. To find: a. τf=?, b.F.S (F)=?, c.F.S.C(Fc)=?, d.F.S.(FΦ)=?
Procedure:
1. Shearing strength of soil is given by the following equation;

 f  c    tan   40  150 tan 30  126.60kN / m 2

2. Mobilised shear resistance is given by the following equation;

 fm  c    tan  m  25  150 tan 22  85.604kN / m 2

3. Factor of safety w.r.t. average strength is given by the equation;

f 126.6
F    1.479
 fm 85.604
4. Factor of safety w.r.t. cohesion is given by the equation;
c 40
Fc    1.6
cm 25
5. Factor of safety w.r.t. friction is given by the equation;
tan  tan 30
F    1.429
tan m tan 22

2. An embankment is made of a soil having c=25kN/m 2 (cohesion) and Φ=200 (angle of shearing resistance) and
γ=19kN/m3 (unit weight). The slope is 1.5Horizontal to 1 vertical and of 9m in height. Determine factor of safety
along a slip circle passing through the toe. The centre of slip circle is located by directional angles α=26 0 and
β=350. Use method of slices the analysis.
Solution: Given data:
a. C=25kN/m2
b. Φ=200
c. γ=19kN/m3
d. The slope is 1.5Horizontal to 1 vertical
e. H=9m
f. Directional angles α=260 and β=350.
g. To find: Factor of safety by the method of slices=?
Procedure:
1. Draw the embankments as per data given ;
Scale:1cm=2m

2. Make the table

Slice Area of Weight of slice, W=Aγ in Normal shear , N=Wcosθ in Tangent shear ,T=Wsinθ in
Nos slice,A=b*h in KN/m KN/m KN/m
m2
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ΣN=2374.89KN/m ΣT=763.23KN/m

3. Length of Arc L=Rθ

Where, θ is in radians
i.e θ=-----*π/180=-------5radians
L=--------=------mts
4. Factor of safety;
F.S=(CL+tanΦΣN)/ΣT
F.S=(25*----+tan20*2374.89)/763.23
F.S=2.034
Dec-0//Jan-09(2002Scheme)
3. An embankment is inclined at an angle of 35 0 and its height is 15m. The angle of shearing resistance is 150
and the cohesion intercept is 200kN/m 2. The unit weight of soil is 18.00kN/m 3. If the Taylor’s stability number is
0.06, determine the factor of safety with respect to cohesion.
Solution: Given data:
a. Incline angle=350
b. H=15m
c. Φ=150
d. C=200kN/m2
e. Γ=18.00kN/m3
f. Sn=0.06
g. To find: Fc=?
Procedure:
1. The factor of safety is given by the following equation;
c
Sn 
Fc *  * H
200
0.06 
Fc * 18 * 15
 Fc  12.3
4. A 5m deep canal has slopes of 1:1. The properties of soil are C u=20kN/m2, Φu=100,e=0.8 and G=2.8. If Taylor’s
stability number is 0.108, determine the factor of safety with respect to cohesion when the canal runs full. Also
find the same case of sudden draw down, if Taylor’s stability number for this condition is 0.137.
Solution; Given data:
a. H=5m
b. Slopes=1:1
c. Cu=20kN/m2
d. Φu=100
e. e=0.8
f. G=2.8
g. Sn=0.108
h. To find: a. Fc=? when the canal runs full, b. Fc=? when the canal in sudden draw down if Sn=0.137.
Procedure:
1. We know that;
 G  e  w  2.8  0.8 * 9.81  19.62kN / m 3
 sat  
1 e 1  0.8
2. We know that:
    sat   w  19.62  9.81  9.81kN / m 3
c 20
3. Case.(i), Fc    3.8
S n *   * H 0.108 * 9.81 * 5
c 20
4. Case.(ii), Fc    1 .5
S n *  sat * H 0.137 * 19.62 * 5
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5. An embankment is inclined at an angle of 35 0 and its height is 15m. The angle of shearing resistance is 15 0
and the cohesion intercept is 200KN/m2. The unit weight of soil is 18KN/m 3. If the Taylor’s stability number is 0.06,
find the factor of safety with respect to cohesion.
Solution: Given data
a. Slope angle β=350
b. H=15m
c. Φ=150
d. Ci=200KN/m2
e. Γ=18KN/m3
f. Ns=0.06
g. To find: Fc=?
Procedure:
1. The factor of safety with respect to cohesion is given by;
Ci 200
Fc    12.34
N s H 0.06 * 18 * 15

6. A homogeneous slope 15m height is made of C-Φ soil with unit weight of 18KN/m 3, unit cohesion 50kpa and
angle of internal friction of 25 0. Check whether the slope is stable or not. Compute the factor of safety with
respect to cohesion and critical height of slope.
Solution: Given Data
a. H=15m
b. Γ=18KN/m3
c. C=50kpa=50KN/m2
d. Φ=250
e. To find:a.Fc=?, b.Hc=?
Procedure:
5. Factor of safety w.r.t cohesion is given by;
Ci 50
Fc    2.46
N s H 0.075 * 18 * 15
6. The critical height of slope is given by eqn (3) above,
Ci 50
Hc    37.03mts
N s 0.075 * 18
Comment: The slope height H=15m is less than critical height Hc=37.03m. Therefore the slope is unstable.

7. An embankment is inclined at an angle 35 0 and its height is 15m. The angle of shearing resistance is 15 0 and
the cohesion intercept is 40KN/m2. The unit weight of soil is 18KN/m 3. Find the factor of safety with respect to
cohesion. Consider Taylor’s stability number-0.06.
Solution:Given data
a. β=350
b. H=15m
c. Φ=150
d. Ci=40KN/m2
e. Γ=18KN/m3
f. Ns=0.06
g. To find: Fc=?
Procedure:
1. The factor of safety with respect to cohesion is given by
Ci 50
Fc    2.469
N s H 0.06 * 18 * 15

8. An embankment of 10m height is constructed in a soil having C=0.02N/mm 2, Φ=200 and γ=6KN/m3. Find the
factor of safety with respect to cohesion and also its critical height of the embankment. Assume stability number-
0.05.
Solution: Given data;
a. H=10m
b. C=0.02N/mm2= 0.02 / 1000 2
1 / 1000 *1000 =20KN/m
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c. Φ=200
d. γ=6KN/m3
e. Ns=0.05
f. To find: a.Fc=?, b.Hc=?
Procedure:
1. The factor of safety w.r.t cohesion is given by;

Ci 20
Fc    6.67
N s H 0.05 * 6 * 10
2. The critical height is given by the equation;
Ci 20
Hc    66.67 mts
N s 0.05 * 6
9. Find the safe depth of cutting at a slope angle 40 0, which is to be made in a soil with C=30KN/m 2, Φ=150 and
γ=18KN/m2. The required factor of safety is 1.5. Take the stability number as 0.098.
Solution: Given data:
a. β=400
b. C=30KN/m2
c. Φ=150
d. Γ=18KN/m3
e. F=1.5
f. Ns=0.098
g. To find: Dsafe=?
Procedure:
1. The safe depth of cutting is given by;
4C 1 sin  cos  1 4 * 30 * sin 40 * cos15
H safe    44.18mts.
 1  cos     
1
181  cos 40  15 
C 1 30
2. For Fc=FΦ=1.5, C m    20 KN m 2
1

Fc 1.5
tan  1 tan 15
3. tan  m1    0.178
F 1.5
  m1  tan 1  0.178  10.10 0

4. The safe depth is given by;

1 1
4C m sin  cos  m 4 * 20 * sin 40 * cos 10.1
H   21.13mts.
 
 1  cos    m
1
 181  cos 40  10.10 
10. An embankment is to be constructed with C=20KN/m 2,Φ=200,γ=18KN/m3,F.S=1.25 and height 10m. Estimate
required side slope. Taylor’s stability numbers are as follows for slope angles.
Slope angle 90 75 60 45 30 20 10
Sn 0.182 0.134 0.097 0.062 0.025 0.005 0
Also find factor of safety, if slope is 1V:2H, given Φ=20 0.
Solution: Given data:
a. C=20KN/m2
b. Φ=200
c. Γ=18KN/m3
d. F.S=1.25
e. H=10m
f. Slope=1V:2H
g. Φ=200
h. To find: a.Slope (β)=?, b.Fc=?.
Procedure:
1. Calculation of slope angle, β=?
Where, slope;1V:2H. i.e., H=2*29=20 and V=1*10=10m respectively.
 11
V 10
tan     0 .5
H 20
   tan 1  0.5  26.56 0
2. By referring table above, i.e., slope angle v/s Sn, then Sn=0.021.
3. Calculate factor of safety is given by the following equation;

Ci 20
Fc    5.291
S n H 0.021 * 18 * 10

11. A cutting 8.5m deep is to be made on a cohesive soil whose slope is 2:1. The soil properties are: i.
C=30KN/m2,ii.Φ=200, iii. Γ=20KN/m3. Use a trial slip circle passing through the toe. The fellinious directional
angles are α=250 and β=350. Determine factor of safety by method of slices.
Solution: Given data:
a. H=8.5m
b. Slope:2:1
c. C=30KN/m2=
d. Φ=200
e. Γ=20KN/m2
f.  A0 =250
g.  B0 =350
h. To find: F.S by method of slices=?
Procedure:
1. Draw the embankment as per data given, i.e select scale:1cm=200cm.
αA=350 Top of embankment
O B

θ=900

Chord length
Direction angle H=8.5m
250 1V
αA Slip circle

G.L A
2H

H=8.5

D E
4.5H
2. Make the table
Slice Area of Weight of slice, W=Aγ in Normal shear , N=Wcosθ in Tangent shear ,T=Wsinθ in
Nos slice,A=b*h in KN/m KN/m KN/m
m2

ΣN=-------KN/m ΣT=--------KN/m
3. Length of Arc, L=Rθ
Where, θ is in radians
i.e θ=---π/180=---radians
L=--------mts
4. Factor of safety;
F.S=(CL+tanΦΣN)/ΣT
 12
F.S=30*---+tan20*---/-----
F.S=------
Jan/2005(old)
12. An embankment is to be made of a sandy clay having cohesion of 30KN/m 2. Angle of internal friction 200 and
a unit weight of 18KN/m3. The slope and height of embankment are 1.6:1 and 10m respectively. Determine the
factor of safety by using the trial circle given in fig. below by the method of slices.
o Centre of arc (trial circle)
350

10m 200

Solution:Given data:
a. C=30KN/m2
b. Φ=200
c. γ= 18KN/m3
d. Slope; 1.6:1
e. H=10m
f. To find: F.S by using the trial circle=?
Procedure:
1. Draw the embankments as per data given ;
Scale:1cm=2m

350
0 B

Θ=1000

H=10m
R=17m

200
G.L A
Θ1
16m T1
W1 N1
H=10m
Θ4 4.5H=4.5*10=45m θ2
Θ3 T2
T3 W2 N2
T4 W3

W4 N4 N3
2. Make the table
Slice Area of Weight of slice, W=Aγ in Normal shear , N=Wcosθ in Tangent shear ,T=Wsinθ in
Nos slice,A=b*h in KN/m KN/m KN/m
m2
1
2
3
4
.
n
ΣN=986.97KN/m ΣT=755.15KN/m

3. Length of Arc L=Rθ

Where, θ is in radians
i.e θ=100*π/180=1.745radians
L=17*1.745=29.67mts
 13
4. Factor of safety;
F.S=(CL+tanΦΣN)/ΣT
F.S=30*29.67+tan20*986.97/755.15
F.S=1.65

13. Fig.Q6(b) shows the details of an embankment made of pure cohesive soil having C=30kN/m 3. Unit weight of
soil is 20kN/m3. Determine the factor of safety against sliding along the trail circle shown.

o R=10m
Fig.Q6(b)

1:1 6m

GOOD-LUCK