• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.207-215
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• 2020

This paper presents a kinematic limit analysis for passive earth pressure of rigid retaining structures considering the unsaturation of the backfill. Particular emphasis in the current work is focused on the effects of the spatial change in the degree of saturation on the passive earth pressure under different steady-infiltration/evaporation conditions. The incorporation of change of effective unit weight with degree of saturation is the main contribution of this study. The problem is formulated based on the log-spiral failure model rather than the linear wedge failure model, in which both the spatial variations of suction and soil effective unit weight are taken into account. Parametric studies, which cover a wide range of flow conditions, soil types and properties, wall batter, back slope angle as well as the interface friction angle, are performed to investigate the effects of these factors on the passive pressure and the corresponding shape of potential failure surfaces in the backfill. The results reveal that the flow conditions have significant effects on the suction and unit weight of the clayey backfill, and hence greatly impact the passive earth pressure of retaining structures. It is expected that present study could provide an insight into evaluation of the passive earth pressure of retaining structures with unsaturated backfills.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.85-90
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• 1988

A probabilistic model for the failure in a homogeneous soil slope is presented. The Safety of the slope is measured through its probability of failure rather than the customary factor of safety. The safety margin of slope failure is assumed to follow a normal distribution. Sources of uncertainties affecting characterization of soil property in a homogeneous soil layer include inherent spatial variability., estimation error from insufficient samples, and measurement errors. Uncertainties of the shear strength-along potential failure surface are expressed by one-dimensional random field models. The rupture surface, created at toe of a soil slope, has been considered to propagate towards the boundary along a path following an exponential (log-spiral) law. Having derived the statistical characteristics of the rupture surface and of the forces which act along it, the probability of failure of the slope was found. Finally the developed procedure has been applied in a case study to yield the reliability of a soil slope.

• Geotechnical Engineering
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 1989

This study presents a probabilistic analysis of the stability of homogeneous soil slopes during earthquakes. The stability of the slope is measured through its probability of failure rather than the customary factor of safety. The maximum horizontal ground acceleration is deterimined with Donovan and McGuire equation. The earthquake magnitude (m) is a random variable the Probability density function f(m) has been obtained with a use of Richter law. The potential failure surfaces are taken to be of an exponential shape (log-spiral) , Uncertainties of the shear strength parameters along potential failure surface are expressed by one-dimensional random field model. From a first order analysis the mean and variance of safety margin is osculated. The dependence on significant seismic parameters of the probability of failure of the slope is examined and the results are presented in a number of graphs and tables. On the base of the results obtained in this study, it is concluled that (1) the present model is useful in assessing the reliability of soil slopes under both static and seismic conditions: and (2) the probability of failure of a soil slope is greatly affected by the values of the seismic parameters that are associated with it.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.287-295
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• 1998

Limit equilibrium method is widely used for the stability analysis of soil slopes. In jointed rock slopes however, the failure of the slope is largely dependent upon the strength and deformability of the joints in the rock mass and quite often failure occurs along the joints. This paper describes the use of ubiquitous joint model for the stability analysis of the jointed rock slopes. This model is essentially an anisotropic elasto-plastic model and can simulate two sets of joint in arbitrary orientations. Validation of the developed with the factor of safety equal to unity was selected when the shape of the failure plane is assumed log spiral. Then the factor of safety of the rock slope having two perpendicular joint sets was calculated while rotating joint orientations. Rusults were compared with limit equilibrium solutions on soil slopes having equivalent soil properties when plane sliding was assumed. Developed model predicted the factor of safety of jointed rock slope in a reasonable accuracy when joint spacing is sufficiently small.