University of University of Florence - Second-cycle degree in Geoengineering – Academic Year 2024-2025
Slope stability
Lecturer: Johann Antonio FACCIORUSSO Ph.D.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Second Cycle Degree in Geoengineering
FINAL PROJECT WORK
SLOPE STABILITY ON A COHESIONLESS SLOPE ON
SATURATED CLAY FOUNDATION
MAGUELO FONKOU Patricia 7155150
MAGUELO FONKOU Patricia 1
University of University of Florence - Second-cycle degree in Geoengineering – Academic Year 2024-2025
Slope stability
Lecturer: Johann Antonio FACCIORUSSO Ph.D.
TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 3
I. PRESENTATION OF THE SOFTWARE ........................................................................................... 4
II. SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS IN STATIC CONDITION ....................................................... 5
III. SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS IN SEISMIC CONDITIONS ................................................. 10
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................................. 11
MAGUELO FONKOU Patricia 2
University of University of Florence - Second-cycle degree in Geoengineering – Academic Year 2024-2025
Slope stability
Lecturer: Johann Antonio FACCIORUSSO Ph.D.
INTRODUCTION
Slope is the ratio of the rise (y) over the run (x). Calculating the shear stress created along the
most likely rupture surface and comparing it to the soil shear strength constitute the slope stability
analysis. The slip surface with the lowest factor of safety is the one that is most likely to fail. We have
to note that the safety of a slope depends on several factors such as the slope geometry (height, slope
angle), the soil properties (friction angle, apparent cohesion, drained condition and unit weight), static
load, dynamic load. The objective of this project is to perform slope stability analysis in static and
seismic conditions using SSAP 2010 software. In this project, we compute the slope stability analysis
of a cohesionless slope lying on a saturated clay foundation using Slope Stability Analysis Program
(SSAP) software and compared to the other analysis reported in soil strength and slope stability book
by Duncan J. M., Wright S. J., and Brandon T. L in 2014. As said before we use SSAP for this
analysis, this software is a free software for rigorous Limit Equilibrium (LEM) approach in order to
obtain more reliable factor of safety (FS) values. The vertical inter-segment interaction forces T(x)
are initially unknown. However, in rigorous calculation procedures they are not neglected, as in the
case of simplified procedures. The Limit Equilibrium Method is a well-known computational
methodology for evaluating Factor of Safety (FS) and stability degree of natural (or reinforced) slopes
(Duncan, 1996, Krahn 2003). A typical cross section of one of the planned dikes with soil properties
for the materials and its foundation shown in Figure 1
Figure 1: case study (embankment on saturated cohesionless slope)
MAGUELO FONKOU Patricia 3
University of University of Florence - Second-cycle degree in Geoengineering – Academic Year 2024-2025
Slope stability
Lecturer: Johann Antonio FACCIORUSSO Ph.D.
I. PRESENTATION OF THE SOFTWARE
The SSAP (Slope Stability Analysis Program), plays a significant role in assessing slope
stability, especially in the context of geotechnical engineering.
SSAP tools help model the interaction between soil and structures (such as retaining walls,
embankments, or buildings) placed on or near slopes. This interaction is crucial in understanding how
the presence of structures can affect the stability of a slope, either improving it or potentially
contributing to failure. These programs can also analyze the shear strength of the soil at different
depths and moisture contents, allowing engineers to evaluate whether the slope is prone to sliding or
failure under various loading conditions.
Through various computational models, SSAP can simulate different types of slope failure
mechanisms (such as rotational, translational, or toppling failures) and predict when and where the
slope might fail under specific conditions (e.g., heavy rainfall, seismic activity, or construction loads).
These tools typically calculate the Factor of Safety (FoS) of slopes, which is an indicator of slope
stability. A FoS value greater than 1 indicates stability, while values below 1 suggest the slope is
unstable and likely to fail. SSAP can integrate various geotechnical data, such as soil properties (e.g.,
cohesion, angle of internal friction), groundwater levels, and external loads, to create a more accurate
model of the slope's behavior.
Based on the results, SSAP can help engineers design appropriate stabilization measures, such
as soil reinforcement, retaining walls, or drainage systems, to improve the slope's stability. In regions
prone to earthquakes, SSAP tools can simulate the impact of seismic forces on slopes and assess how
dynamic loads might trigger or exacerbate slope failures.
MAGUELO FONKOU Patricia 4
University of University of Florence - Second-cycle degree in Geoengineering – Academic Year 2024-2025
Slope stability
Lecturer: Johann Antonio FACCIORUSSO Ph.D.
Figure 2: SSAP interface
II. SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS IN STATIC CONDITION
For many years now, automatic calculation codes have been widely used in this field which
allow reduction of time and costs due to their speed and efficiency and also the posibility of obtaining
more reliable results due to them performing multiple crosschecks. In this project, the SSAP Program
allow us to obtain an optimal modeling of the geomechanical and lithostratigraphic configuration of
slopes in soil. We have to define the simplest and the most realistic geometric and mechanical model
of the slope, in order to be able to peform reliable stability checks with acceptable calculation times.
In SSAP the calculation of the factor of safety (FS) is characterized by the presence of seven rigorous
methods (Janbu rigoroso 1973, Spencer 1973, Sarma 1973, Morgenstern-Price 1965, Chen-
Morgenstern 1983, Sarma II 1979 and Borselli 2016) that operate within the methodology of slope
stability verification using Limit Equilibrium Methods (LEM). The FS is the factor by which it is
necessary to divide the parameters of the shear resistance of the soil along the various sections of the
surface, to cause failure of the slope along the entire surface considered. The calculation in LEM
methods assumed factor of safety to be the same at all points along the slip surface, although FS in
reality may be locally variable.
MAGUELO FONKOU Patricia 5
University of University of Florence - Second-cycle degree in Geoengineering – Academic Year 2024-2025
Slope stability
Lecturer: Johann Antonio FACCIORUSSO Ph.D.
The first thing to do in this project, is to define the slope geometry and the soil stratigraphy.
To do that we need to have the cartesian coordinates (X-Y) of topographic surface. The geometry
coordinates of our computed slope shown in Figure 3.
35
30
25
20
15
10
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Figure 3: representation of the geometry in excell
In our case we have two layers, one made of cohesionless soil (sand) and the saturated clay
Figure 4: first layer geometry in SSAP
MAGUELO FONKOU Patricia 6
University of University of Florence - Second-cycle degree in Geoengineering – Academic Year 2024-2025
Slope stability
Lecturer: Johann Antonio FACCIORUSSO Ph.D.
Figure 5: second layer geometry (clay)
In this step, we enter the geomechanics data such as: the cohesion, the friction angle, the
undrained condition, the unit weight and the Gama sat.
The slope stratigraphy and geomechanical data of our computed slope have been used to
assemble the slope model file (.mod). We enter our data manualy trp Makefile in SSAP software.
After creating the surface and the geomechanicals parameters, we also represent the water level
before computing the surface
Figure 6: water level setting
MAGUELO FONKOU Patricia 7
University of University of Florence - Second-cycle degree in Geoengineering – Academic Year 2024-2025
Slope stability
Lecturer: Johann Antonio FACCIORUSSO Ph.D.
We then compte the model using
Figure 7: general parameter
We use Spencer 1973 calculation method and Sniff Random Search (version 3.0) engine to
generate the slip surfaces. The Spencer method is among the acurated method use in the book of
Duncan J. M., Wright S. J., Brandon T. L. (2014), Soil strength and slope stability”, it was cobine
with the simplify Bishop but the software does not have this particular method. Beside that, Sniff
Random Search (SRS) is the most innovative as well as the most versatile and powerful method
among those used by the SSAP software. The algorithm, implemented in a particular search engine,
was developed in response to lessons learned from a number of particular scenarios as well as an
effort to address some issues with previous methods. The method is predicated on the strategy that
aims to maximize, when random surfaces are generated, the passage through the layers that have the
poorest resistance characteristics (attempts preferably to pass through them). The minimum number
of surfaces, to be generated with the sniff random search engine, suggested by SSAP manual is 5000
surfaces.
The result of running the slope stability analysis check in static conditions and resulting DXF
files of the critical surfaces (10 surfaces with the most minimum factor of safety) are as follow
MAGUELO FONKOU Patricia 8
University of University of Florence - Second-cycle degree in Geoengineering – Academic Year 2024-2025
Slope stability
Lecturer: Johann Antonio FACCIORUSSO Ph.D.
We have this surface
Figure 8: slip surfaces generated bu SSAP in static condition
For static conditions, the critical slip surface (out of ten slip surfaces with the lowest safety
factor (FS)) is equal to 1.3569. Meanwhile, the FS range of ten slip surfaces that are generated out
of 10000 surfaces ranges inbetween 1.3569 and 1.4818
MAGUELO FONKOU Patricia 9
University of University of Florence - Second-cycle degree in Geoengineering – Academic Year 2024-2025
Slope stability
Lecturer: Johann Antonio FACCIORUSSO Ph.D.
III. SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS IN SEISMIC
CONDITIONS
The fact that there are several case histories of landslides induced by earthquakes make
stability analysis carried out in seismic conditions as important as static conditions. Seismic slope
stability analysis in SSAP sofware using pseudo-static method complies with the national seismic
regulation (NTC2018) by amplifying seismic coefficients values (horizontal and vertical seismic
coefficients) depending on soil stratigraphy and topography. One of the Pseudo-static method
assumption is that seismic load, represented by the equivalent static inertial forces proportional to the
weight of the potential sliding mass and included in limit equilibrium equations, Kh and Kv are
constant in time.
In our case it is a litlle bit complicated because we haven’t found a real case of an embankment
lying on a saturated clay foundation but we can say that for a good stability analysis we need to
combine the slope stability analysis in both the static and seismic conditions
MAGUELO FONKOU Patricia 10
University of University of Florence - Second-cycle degree in Geoengineering – Academic Year 2024-2025
Slope stability
Lecturer: Johann Antonio FACCIORUSSO Ph.D.
CONCLUSION
The purpose of this project is to perform a slope stability analysis in static and seismic
conditions using SSAP software to evaluate the safety of an hypothetical embakment lying on a
saturated clay foundation. The result of the stability analysis under static condition showed a factor
of safety equal to 1.35, which is greater than the one in the duncamn hich was 1.19. These FS values
indicate that the slope is in a stable treshold, however we would advise additional reinforcements to
achive a higher safety factor and an effiscience drainage system. The result brought to view that,
compared to circular slip surfaces, noncircular slip surfaces can have a significantly lower FS. Also,
the Sniff Random Search (SRS) function (to find the slip surface) is prone to have the lowest FS due
to it being the most versatile and powerful method. These result revealed the importance of carrying
out calculations checks with several methods and conditions (static and seismic) to make sure the
stability of a slope.
MAGUELO FONKOU Patricia 11
