• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.165-178
• /
• 2021

The influence of Soil-Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC) fitting parameters for an unsaturated natural slope was evaluated through seepage and slope stability analysis as a function of rainfall. Soil samples were collected from the study area in Jirisan National Park and the physical and mechanical characteristics of unsaturated soil layers were measured in laboratory tests. The saturation depth was calculated via seepage analysis by changing fitting parameters α, the parameter related to the Air Entry Value (AEV) and n, the parameter related to the slope of the SWCC in the range of natural conditions. Slope stability analysis using the limit equilibrium method considered the calculated depth of saturation. Results from seepage analysis for various rainfall conditions indicate the saturation depth in the soil layer suddenly increased as the fitting parameter α decreased; the saturation time for the entire soil layer also decreased. Slope stability analysis considering the calculated depth of saturation shows that the slope safety factor rapidly decreased as the fitting parameter α decreased, whereas the variation in slope safety factor was very small when n increased. Hence, fitting parameter α has a large effect on saturation depth during rainfall and therefore on slope stability, whereas slope stability is relatively unaffected by the fitting parameter n.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.35 no.12
• /
• pp.45-58
• /
• 2019

In this study, a stochastic analysis procedure based on numerical analysis was proposed to evaluate a kind of intensity-duration rainfall threshold for the initiation of slope failure due to rainfall infiltration. Fragility curves were generated as a function of rainfall intensity-duration from the results of probabilistic slope stability analysis by MCS considering the uncertainty of the soil shear strength, reflecting the results of infiltration analysis of rainfall over time. In the probabilistic analysis, slope stability analyses combined with the infiltration analysis of rainfall were performed to calculate the limit state function. Using the derived fragility curves, a chart showing the relationship between rainfall intensity and slope failure-time was developed. It is based on a probabilistic analysis considering the uncertainty of the soil properties. The proposed probabilistic failure distribution analysis could be beneficial for analyzing the time-dependent failure process of soil slopes due to rainfall infiltration, and for predicting when the slope failure should occur.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.24 no.11
• /
• pp.55-60
• /
• 2008

This paper presents how the load transfer mechanism of the ground anchor affects on the stability analysis of anchored slope. The finite element analysis and the conventional limit equilibrium analysis on the anchored slope were performed and compared. The limit equilibrium analysis of the anchored slope is widely used in design practice due to the easiness of the analysis. However, the load transfer mechanism is not considered properly for the analysis. When the failure surface passes through the bonded length of an anchor, the anchor load is disregarded and the factor of safety for the anchored slope is smaller than it should be. In this study, the load transfer distribution was incorporated into the limit equilibrium stability analysis of the anchored slope and the results were compared with those of finite element analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.135-147
• /
• 2013

Most of slope failures are triggered by heavy rainfall during rainy season. If the rain keeps on for the season, the water content of the ground increases and its matric suction decrease, and then the safety factor of soil slope gets lower. The change of water table level for soil slope stability dose not describe the behavior of the soil slope in real situation, hence it may be necessary to modify the design standard for slope stability in association with rain infiltration. For correct design, economical construction, and maintenance of a soil slope, unsaturated flow analysis is needed for estimation of slope instability regarding water infiltration and soil behavior on unsaturated soil slopes. The entire soil slope cannot be saturated by prolonged rainfall and wetting band depth (saturated zone) just deepens from slope surface, hence the cause of the shallow surface slide is the wetting band depth depending on rainfall duration and intensity. Therefore, the paper presents the differences between theoretical equation and numerical analysis for wetting band depth on soil surface and its safety factor, and compares the slope stability obtained from unsaturated flow analysis with that obtained from conventional slope stability analysis.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
• /
• v.55 no.6
• /
• pp.37-46
• /
• 2013

Many factors about the stability for the reservoir embankments is determined when the facility is completed. Therefore the initial design of the embankment is important. Many researchers focused the effect of soil parameters although the cross section greatly affects the stability and can be controlled in design step. The objective of this research is to analysis of the effects for the safety factor of slope and seepage according to change cross-section in embankment. As a result, the quantity of seepage decreased as the gradient of downstream slope decreased and was proportional to the height of embankments. There was a linear relationship between the gradient of slope and the safety factor of slope. However the gradient of slope did not affect other side slope. All in a relationship, regressive equations with a high correlation coefficient were calculated and can be applied the simple estimation method of the stability using the cross-section. As results of analyzing the sensitivity, the friction angle and permeability critically effect for the slope stability and the seepage, respectively. The effect of the slope gradient was similar to major soil properties.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.121-129
• /
• 2004

In this study, a slope stability chart for assessing stability of homogeneous simple soil slopes is proposed. Most existing slope stability charts are based on limit equilibrium method, which is not rigorous in mechanical standpoint. Meanwhile, limit analysis based on the principle of virtual work and the bound theorems of plasticity is suitable for evaluating the stability of geotechnical structures such as slope due to its simplicity in computation and mechanical rigor. Numerical limit analysis taking advantage of finite elements and linear programming can consider various slope conditions and, in addition, find the optimum stability solution with effeciency. In this study, a numerical limit analysis program in terms of effective stress is developed and a mechanically rigorous slope stability chart is proposed by performing stability analyses for various slope conditions. Pore pressure ratio, commonly used in stability charts, is applied to consider the effects of pore pressure for effective stress analysis. As a result of comparison between proposed stability chart and Spencer's stability chart, it was found that Spencer's chart solutions are biased to lower bound which means conservative in design.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2009.03a
• /
• pp.1076-1085
• /
• 2009

Recent heavy rains and typhoons broke down road slopes, which caused a hazard to safety. As a result, interests in the effective investment for disaster prevention is increasing. Measures of investigation method for slope have been taken, but the financial costs have never been analysed. This study applied the cost-benefit analysis theory used in public economics to the evaluation of the financial reasonability of management for slope. By applying cost-benefit analysis to road slope investigation method, the reduction of safety costs and resulting financial benefits can be seen and it also clarifies the reasonability and investment effects of slope management.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2008.10a
• /
• pp.176-183
• /
• 2008

This paper highlights the importance of carrying out global slope stability analysis as part of design calculations for geosynethetic walls in tiered configuration. Four design case histories were selected to examine the appropriateness of their design by performing additional slope stability analyses using the shear strength reduction method with in the frame work of finite element analysis. The results indicated that all of the walls examined, which were designed to meet the current design guide lines, did not satisfy the global slope stability requirement, and that longer reinforcements are required in the upper tiers to achieve the minimum factor of safety. Practical implications of the findings are discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
• /
• 2003.03a
• /
• pp.475-480
• /
• 2003

Traditionally, the statistical methods analyze the relationship between landslide occurrence and related factors(soil depth, soil strength, slope angle, vegetation, etc.) in GIS technique. However, those methods have no mechanical meaning. Therefore, the deterministic model is suggested in this research. The method analyzes the mechanical equilibrium of a potential slide block and then calculates a slope safety factor. Since this method is able to consider the balance of forces applied to the slope and is a more reasonable method for an individual site. In this research, the spatial data is obtained, managed and analyzed using GIS technique. The infinite slope model is used to evaluate factor of safety and analyze the slope stability.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.308-317
• /
• 1995

The stability study on the rock slope where have produced failures in Boryung dam site was evaluated using the streonet analysis techniques. SMR(Slope Mass Rating) approach which is suitable for preliminary assessment of slope stability in rock was also carried out for rating rock mass. The 3-4 major discontinuity sets are distributed and all type of failure(plane, wedge and toppling failure) are presented in this slope face. The dip of slope must be lowered to friction angle(26degree), otherwise the possibility of plane and toppling faiue will always exist in this slope.