• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

Numerical stability analysis of an unsaturated infinite slope under rainfall-induced infiltration conditions was performed using generalized effective stress to unify both saturated and unsaturated conditions The soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) of sand with a relative density of 75% was initially measured for both drying and wetting processes. The hydraulic conductivity function (HCF) and suction stress characteristic curve (SSCC) were subsequently estimated. Under the rainfall-induced infiltration conditions, transient seepage analysis of an unsaturated infinite slope was performed using the finite element analysis program, SEEP/W. Based on these results, the stability of an unsaturated infinite slope under rainfall-induced infiltration conditions was examined in relation to suction stress. According to the results, the negative pore-water pressure and water content within the slope soil changed over time due to the infiltration. In addition, the variation of the negative pore-water pressure and water content led to a variation in suction stress and a subsequent change in the slope's factor of safety during the rainfall period.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.601-612
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• 2021

The paper concerns the selection of a design accelerograms used for the slope stability assessment under earthquake excitation. The aim is to experimentally verify the Arias Intensity as an indicator of the excitation threat to the slope stability. A simple dynamic system consisting of a rigid block on a rigid inclined plane subjected to horizontal excitation is adopted as a slope model. Strong ground motions recorded during earthquakes are reproduced on a shaking table. The permanent displacement of the block serves as a slope stability indicator. Original research stand allows us to analyse not only the relative displacement but also the acceleration time history of the block. The experiments demonstrate that the Arias Intensity of the accelerogram is a good indicator of excitation threat to the stability of the slope. The numerical analyses conducted using the experimentally verified extended Newmark's method indicate that both the Arias Intensity and the peak velocity of the excitation are good indicators of the impact of dynamic excitation on the dam's stability. The selection can be refined using complementary information, which is the dominant frequency and duration of the strong motion phase of the excitation, respectively.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.279-285
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• 2019

The process of slope stability analysis is one of the most important stages in design of some civil and mining projects. Bimslopes are made from bimrocks (block-in-matrix rocks) where rocky blocks are distributed in a bonded matrix of finer texture. These kind of slopes are often seen in weathered and near-surface depths. Previous studies have shown that VBP (Volumetric Block Proportion) is one of the most significant factors affecting bimrocks strength and consequently the stability of bimslopes. In this paper, the influence of block inclinations on bimslope stability have been investigated. For this purpose, 180 theoretical models have been made with various VBPs, all of them have a specified block size distribution. These bimslopes contain blocks with differing dips relative the slope inclination. Also for each kind of block inclination, 10 different blocks arrangements have been modeled. The Finite Element Method (FEM) was used to analysis the stability of these bimslopes models. The results showed the inclination of blocks has a strong impact on the Safety Factor and stability of bimslopes. When the difference in angle of dip of blocks relative to the slope angle is maximum, the Safety Factor of bimslopes tends to be a maximum compared with the matrix-only state. Furthermore, with increasing VBP of bimslopes stability increases. The graphs obtained from this study could be used for preliminary guidance in the projects design with bimslopes.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1183-1191
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• 2018

Reliability analysis is generally regarded as the most appropriate method when uncertainties are taken into account in slope designs. With the help of limit analysis, probability evaluation for three-dimensional rock slope stability was conducted based upon the Mote Carlo method. The nonlinear Hoek-Brown failure criterion was employed to reflect the practical strength characteristics of rock mass. A form of stability factor is used to perform reliability analysis for rock slopes. Results show that the variation of strength uncertainties has significant influence on probability of failure for rock slopes, as well as strength constants. It is found that the relationship between probability of failure and mean safety factor is independent of the magnitudes of input parameters but relative to the variability of variables. Due to the phenomenon, curves displaying this relationship can provide guidance for designers to obtain factor of safety according to required failure probability.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.720-723
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• 2006

This study performed slope stability analysis by changing analysis methods and shear strength with the slope stability analysis program. The conclusions of the study are as follows. 1) The safe factor of clayey soil applied with Bishop's simple method turned out to be similar to or slightly higher than those of other methods, for both dry and saturated conditions. 2) The safe factor of sandy soil applied with GLE method turned out to be slightly higher than those of other methods. But when applied with Bishop's simple method, it appeared to be slightly higher than those of other methods. 3) The safe factor of ordinary soil applied with GLE method showed the highest result. 4) Janbu method showed the lowest safe factor among all the methods for the above three types of soils.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.64-82
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• 1980

The aim of this thesis, when water permeates dam, is to study the shape of seepage line and seepage quantity. As for the process, various sand model dams of same capacity were constructed in the water tank : they are a central, middle, inclined, up and down stream point of which is paralled, and filter-installed types. And the slope of seepage line and seepage quantity in these various models for experiment were measured, observed data were analyzed, and several formulas which already published were compared and examined. As for the shape of seepage line, the relation between upstream water level and exit: slope of seepage line, near the entrance and exit point, geometrically similar model, and the shape of seepage line filter-installed were examined. As regards to the seepage quantity, several formulas which already published and testing result values were compared and examined, and relation with the slope of seepage line, the seepage quantity, the slope of upstream point, and the upstream water level were mutually studied. Particulary, when horizontal filter was installed, propriety of the existing formulas for effective filter length w as examined, and the relative position of exit point in various. conditions was also studied.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.633-637
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• 1999

A series of meterological observation using automation weather station(AWS) carried out to investigate characteristics of nocturnal meteorological parameters for 16~17 June 1998 at Buljeongdong mountain slope, Kyungbuk. Dry temperature at valley was lower than mountain because of high lapse rate at valley, so the strong inversion layer occurrenced at mountain slope for nighttime. Contrary of dry temperature, relative humidity of valley was higher than mountain for nighttime. Wind speed at valley from sunset to next day morning was lower than mountain, but that of valley after sunrise was higher than mountain. Wind direction at valley for all observation time were southeasterlies(SE), that of mountain for nighttime were northeasterlies(NE) or northnorthwesterlies(NNW), and that of mountain after sunrise were irregular. Vapor pressure at valley for all observation time was higher mountain, particularly the difference was high for nighttime.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.19-28
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• 2005

This paper presents a laboratory investigation on the failure mechanism of geosynthetic reinforced slopes using 1/5-scale reduced model. The components of the model were selected with due consideration of the similitude law and the step-by-step actual wall construction procedure was closely simulated. The model tests successfully replicated the failure mechanism with relative density, slope and vertical spacing.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1193-1205
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• 2018

A footing located on slopes possess relatively lower bearing capacity as compared to the footing located on the level ground. The bearing capacity further reduces under seismic loading. The adverse effect of slope inclination and seismic loading on bearing capacity can be minimized by proving sufficient setback distance. Though few earlier studies considered setback distance in their analysis, the range of considered setback distance was very narrow. No study has explored the critical setback distance. An attempt has been made in the present study to comprehensively investigate the effect of setback distance on footing under seismic loading conditions. The pseudo-static method has been incorporated to study the influence of seismic loading. The rate of decrease in seismic bearing capacity with slope inclination become more evident with the increase in embedment depth of footing and angle of shearing resistance of soil. The increase in bearing capacity with setback distance relative to level ground reduces with slope inclination, soil density, embedment depth of footing and seismic acceleration. The critical value of setback distance is found to increase with slope inclination, embedment depth of footing and density of soil. The critical setback distance in seismic case is found to be more than those observed in the static case. The failure mechanisms of footing under seismic loading is presented in detail. The statistical analysis was also performed to develop three equations to predict the critical setback distance, seismic bearing capacity factor ($N_{{\gamma}qs}$) and change in seismic bearing capacity (BCR) with slope geometry, footing depth and seismic loading.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.1029-1037
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• 2008

The finite element analysis of transient water flow through unsaturated soils was used to investigate effects of hydraulic characteristics, initial relative degree of saturation, methods to consider boundary condition, and rainfall intensity and duration on water pressure in slopes. The finite element method with shear strength reduction technique was used to evaluate the stability of slopes under rainfall. The slope-related disasters in Korea usually occur between July and September during the typhoon and localized heavy rain. This means that the rainfall is the most important factor that leads to the slope-related disasters. The slope-related disasters can happen at very short time and lead to big damage. To forecast the change of the heave of the groundwater in slope the Seep/w program was used.