Slope stability

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The general field of slope stability encompasses the methodologies required for analyzing the static and dynamic stability of slopes of earth and rock-fill dams, slopes of other types of embankments, excavated slopes, and natural slopes in soil and soft rock. [1]

Although entire volumes are written about how to analyze slopes, it is quite important to have a general understanding, since slopes are everywhere, and our houses and roadways are either above them or below them. Many landslide disasters could have been prevented or mitigated through the use of simple principles. Expensive slope stabilization techniques are available.

As seen in this figure, earthen slopes can develop a cut-spherical weakness zone. The probability of this happening can be calculated in advance using a simple 2-D circular analysis package [2] A primary difficulty with analysis is locating the most-probable slip plane for any given situation [3] Many landslides have only been analyzed after the fact, and the proper use of effective stress is important.

Slope stability issues can be seen with almost any walk down a ravine in an urban setting. As seen in this figure, the river is eroding the toe, and the homeowner on the top has a swimming pool that is leaking. Attempts to control the river with rock-work will most likely not be successful, due to the fact that the toe will just be scoured deeper. It is only a matter of time before the slope starts to move, perhaps in a sudden manner.