scholarly journals Safety Factor of Unsaturated Soil Slopes considering the Intermediate Principal Stress Effect and Different Profiles of Matric Suction

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Zhaoxin Li ◽  
Changguang Zhang ◽  
Jingyuan Zhao ◽  
Qing Yan
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Principal Stress ◽  
Safety Factor ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Intermediate Principal Stress ◽  
Stress Effect ◽  
Soil Slopes ◽  
The Stability

Profiles of matric suction are critical for assessing the stability of unsaturated soil slopes, and the strength of unsaturated soils is affected by the intermediate principal stress. This study presents a theoretical formulation of safety factor for infinite unsaturated soil slopes under four different profiles of matric suction using the limit equilibrium method. The unified shear strength equation under plane strain conditions is adopted to capture the effect of intermediate principal stress on the strength of unsaturated soils. The proposed formulation of safety factor is found to have good comparability and broad applicability. The validity of the proposed formulation is demonstrated by comparing its predictions with the results of the extended shear strength method and the finite element method available in the literature. Parametric studies show that the effect of intermediate principal stress on the stability of unsaturated soil slopes is significant; the difference of safety factor among four suction profiles is pronounced, and the safety factor is highest for a linear suction profile. In addition, the safety factor changes with the infiltration depth in two stages, decreases with the slope angle, and increases with effective strength parameters. The results of this study are capable of providing beneficial guidance for optimization designs and disaster preventions of unsaturated soil slopes.

Stability Analysis of Unsaturated Soil Slopes Based on Unified Strength Theory

2013 ◽  
Vol 353-356 ◽  
pp. 946-951
Author(s):  
Yan Li ◽  
Jun Hai Zhao ◽  
Qian Zhu ◽  
Chang Guang Zhang ◽  
Wen Qi Bai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Principal Stress ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Research Result ◽  
Friction Angle ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Intermediate Principal Stress ◽  
Unified Strength Theory ◽  
Stability Coefficient ◽  
Soil Slopes ◽  
The Stability

Based on the unified solution of shear strength in terms of double stress state variables for unsaturated soils, the unified formula of stability coefficient for unsaturated soil slopes under the plane strain condition is derived by Sweden slice method, which considers the effect of the intermediate principal stress rationally. Combining with engineering example, the proposed formula is compared with the one that is on the basis of Fredlund unsaturated soil theory and the influencing characteristics of factors including intermediate principal stress, matric suction, effective internal friction angle and matric suction angle is obtained. The research result indicates that: intermediate principal stress and matric suction have obvious impacts on the stability coefficient for unsaturated soil slopes; the stability coefficient has been increasing with the increase of unified strength theory parameter and matric suction, which proves that the consideration of intermediate principal stress and matric suction can make slopes give full play to their self-stabilities and strength potential, and the yield criterion has great impact on the judgment of slope stability; the stability coefficient also increases nonlinearly with the increase of effective internal friction angle and matric suction angle. The proposed unified formula of stability coefficient for unsaturated soil slopes enjoys a wider application. The stability coefficient for unsaturated soil slopes according to the Fredlund unsaturated soil theory and that for saturated soil slopes are just the special cases. The research result can provide theoretical basis for stability analysis and reinforce design of the unsaturated soil slopes, and it is of great significance to the slope management.

scholarly journals Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Strip Foundations in Unsaturated Soils considering the Intermediate Principal Stress Effect

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Qing Yan ◽  
Junhai Zhao ◽  
Changguang Zhang ◽  
Jintai Wang
Keyword(s):  
Bearing Capacity ◽  
Principal Stress ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Ultimate Bearing Capacity ◽  
Intermediate Principal Stress ◽  
Shallow Foundations ◽  
Hyperbolic Function ◽  
Stress Effect ◽  
Intermediate Principal Stress Effect

The reasonable determination of ultimate bearing capacity is crucial to an optimal design of shallow foundations. Soils surrounding shallow foundations are commonly located above the water table and are thus in an unsaturated state. The intermediate principal stress has an improving effect on the unsaturated soil strength. In this study, the ultimate bearing capacity formulation of strip foundations in unsaturated soils is presented by using Terzaghi’s theory. The unified shear strength equation of unsaturated soils under a plane strain condition is utilized to capture the intermediate principal stress effect. Furthermore, two profiles of matric suction are considered and a hyperbolic function of the friction angle related to matric suction (φb) is adopted to describe strength nonlinearity. The validity of this study is demonstrated by comparing it with model tests and a theoretical solution reported in the literature. Finally, parameter studies are conducted to investigate the effects of intermediate principal stress, matric suction, and base roughness on the ultimate bearing capacity of strip foundations. Besides, the effect of strength nonlinearity is discussed with two methods representing the angle φb.

The Stability of Unsaturated Soil Foundation Pit Reinforced with the Cement-Mixed Sheet Pile Wall

2011 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 243-246
Author(s):  
Rong Jian Li ◽  
Hao Duan ◽  
Wen Zheng ◽  
Hai Tao Li
Keyword(s):  
Safety Factor ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Sheet Pile ◽  
Foundation Pit ◽  
Constant Height ◽  
Overall Stability ◽  
Soil Foundation ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Sheet Pile Wall

The non-uniform distribution of matric suction in the unsaturated soil has a great impact on the stability of the unsaturated soil foundation pit. By means of the strength reduction finite element method, the stability of the unsaturated soil foundation pit reinforced with the cement-mixed sheet pile wall was analyzed. The overall safety factor of the unsaturated soil foundation pit reinforced with the cement-mixed sheet pile wall is greatly reduced and the position of potential sliding surface goes upward with the gradually decreasing of matric suction. With the constant height of the cement-mixed sheet pile wall, the shallower the embedding depth of the cement-mixed sheet pile wall is, the smaller the safety factor of the foundation pit slope is. The results show that the safety factor of the overall stability of the unsaturated soil foundation pit decreases with the deep excavation and the gradually decreasing of the matric suction.

Modeling the unsaturated soil zone in slope stability analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 1384-1398 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. Zhang ◽  
Delwyn G. Fredlund ◽  
Murray D. Fredlund ◽  
G. Ward Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Stability Analysis ◽  
Slope Stability ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Slope Stability Analysis ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Nonlinear Shear

The linear form of the extended Mohr–Coulomb shear strength equation uses a [Formula: see text] parameter to quantify the rate of increase in shear strength relative to matric suction. When the [Formula: see text] value is unknown, a [Formula: see text] equal to 15° is sometimes used in the slope stability study to assess the influence of matric suction on the stability of a slope. In many cases, however, a [Formula: see text] value of zero is used, signifying that the effect of matric suction is ignored. Experiment results have shown that the relationship between the shear strength of an unsaturated soil and matric suction is nonlinear. Several semi-empirical estimation equations have been proposed relating the unsaturated shear strength to the soil-water characteristic curve. In this paper, the results of a study using two-dimensional slope stability analysis along with an estimated nonlinear shear strength equations is presented. The effects of using an estimated nonlinear shear strength equation for the unsaturated soils are illustrated using three example problems. Several recommendations are made for engineering practice based on the results of the example problems. If the air-entry value (AEV) of a soil is smaller than 1 kPa, the effect of matric suction on the calculated factor of safety is trivial and the [Formula: see text] value can be assumed to be zero. If the AEV of a soil is between 1 and 20 kPa, the nonlinear equations of unsaturated shear strength should be adopted. For soils with an AEV value between 20 and 200 kPa, an assumed [Formula: see text] value of 15° provides a reasonable estimation of the effects of unsaturated shear strength in most cases. For soils with an AEV greater than 200 kPa, [Formula: see text] can generally be assumed to be equal to the effective angle of internal friction, [Formula: see text], in applications where geotechnical structures have matric suctions around 100 kPa.

Model for the prediction of shear strength with respect to soil suction

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
S K Vanapalli ◽  
D G Fredlund ◽  
D E Pufahl ◽  
A W Clifton
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Glacial Till ◽  
Soil Suction ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve

Experimental studies on unsaturated soils are generally costly, time-consuming, and difficult to conduct. Shear strength data from the research literature suggests that there is a nonlinear increase in strength as the soil desaturates as a result of an increase in matric suction. Since the shear strength of an unsaturated soil is strongly related to the amount of water in the voids of the soil, and therefore to matric suction, it is postulated that the shear strength of an unsaturated soil should also bear a relationship to the soil-water characteristic curve. This paper describes the relationship between the soil-water characteristic curve and the shear strength of an unsaturated soil with respect to matric suction. Am empirical, analytical model is developed to predict the shear strength in terms of soil suction. The formulation makes use of the soil-water characteristic curve and the saturated shear strength parameters. The results of the model developed for predicting the shear strength are compared with experimental results for a glacial till. The shear strength of statically compacted glacial till specimens was measured using a modified direct shear apparatus. Specimens were prepared at three different water contents and densities (i.e., corresponding to dry of optimum, and wet of optimum conditions). Various net normal stresses and matric suctions were applied to the specimens. There is a good correlation between the predicted and measured values of shear strength for the unsaturated soil. Key words: soil-water characteristic curve, shear strength, unsaturated soil, soil suction, matric suction.

Unified Solution of Coulomb’s Active Earth Pressure for Unsaturated Soils without Crack

2012 ◽  
Vol 170-173 ◽  
pp. 755-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Biao Liang ◽  
Jun Hai Zhao ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Chang Guang Zhang ◽  
Su Wang
Keyword(s):  
Principal Stress ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Retaining Wall ◽  
Research Result ◽  
Earth Pressure ◽  
Friction Angle ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Intermediate Principal Stress ◽  
Active Earth Pressure ◽  
Soil Pressure

Based on the unified solution of shear strength in terms of double stress state variables for unsaturated soils, whilst considering the effect of the intermediate principal stress rationally, the unified solution of Coulomb’s active earth pressure for unsaturated soils without cracks is developed. Comparability of the solution is analyzed and influencing characteristic of each factor is obtained. The research result indicates that: the intermediate principal stress and matric suction have obvious impacts on Coulomb’s active earth pressure for unsaturated soils; Coulomb’s active earth pressure has been decreasing until zero with the increase of unified strength theory parameter and matric suction; Coulomb’s active earth pressure increases with the increase of grading angle of retaining wall and slop angle of backfill, but decreases with the increase of matric suction, effective internal friction angle and matric suction angle, while external friction angle has no obvious influence. The proposed unified solution of Coulomb’s active earth pressure enjoys a wider application, and unified solution of Rankine’s active earth pressure is just the special case. The results are of great significance to soil pressure determination such as slope and foundation pit, and to retaining structures design.

Unified Solution of Passive Earth Pressure for Unsaturated Soils

2012 ◽  
Vol 594-597 ◽  
pp. 430-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Guang Zhang ◽  
Dong Hui Zhu ◽  
Zhi Gao ◽  
Guang Wei Xue ◽  
Zheng Li
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Earth Pressure ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Intermediate Principal Stress ◽  
Strength Theory ◽  
Passive Earth Pressure ◽  
Independent State ◽  
Unified Strength Theory ◽  
State Stress

With two different distributions of matric suction, the unified solution of passive earth pressure for unsaturated soils is obtained, which is based on the unified shear strength for unsaturated soils in terms of two independent state stress variables and could avoid some shortages of Rankine's passive earth pressure. The influence of intermediate principal stress and matric suction on passive earth pressure is discussed. The results show that the passive earth pressure increases significantly with the unified strength theory parameter or matric suction increasing, and does not change more rapidly when matric suction decreases linearly with depths than that is constant.

scholarly journals Evaluation on slope stability of unsaturated soils

2000 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Wang ◽  
M. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Limit Equilibrium ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Groundwater Table ◽  
Degree Of Saturation ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Soil Slopes

In drought-prone and semiarid areas, the groundwater table is deep and the soils are at an unsaturated state because of evaporation or transpiration. The negative pore water pressure or matric suction (ua-uw) is an important property of unsaturated soils that are situated above the groundwater table. In the conditions of rainfall, ground seepage, or drainpipe leakage, the matric suction will decrease with the increase of the degree of saturation, and the soils will lose their part of shear strength, which is the main reason why many unsaturated soil slopes become unstable. This paper discusses the engineering properties of unsaturated soils. Following the limit equilibrium principle, the unsaturated soil slopes are evaluated by applying the slice method.

Soil Strength Reduction Method Induced by Variation of Water Content

2012 ◽  
Vol 170-173 ◽  
pp. 847-852
Author(s):  
Peng Ming Jiang ◽  
Zhong Lei Yan ◽  
Peng Li
Keyword(s):  
Slope Stability ◽  
Unsaturated Soil ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Strength Reduction ◽  
Actual State ◽  
Soil Slope ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Stability

As the complexity of unsaturated soil theory, and it must have a long test period when we study the unsaturated soils, so the conventional design analysis software does not provide such analysis, so we can imagine that such a slope stability analysis does not accurately reflect the actual state of the slope. Based on the known soil moisture content，this paper use the soil water characteristic curve and strength theory of unsaturated soil to calculate the strength reduction parameters of soil which can calculate the stability of the soil slope when using the common calculation method. It is noticeable that this method can be extended and applied if we establish regional databases for this simple method, and these databases can improve the accuracy of the calculation of slope stability.

A relationship describing the shear strength of unsaturated soils

1999 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daud W Rassam ◽  
David J Williams
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Nonlinear Regression ◽  
Unsaturated Soils ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Matric Suction ◽  
Linear Increase ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Stress Dependent

A relationship describing the shear-strength profile of a desiccating soil deposit is essential for the purpose of analysis, especially when a numerical method is adopted where each zone in a discretised grid is assigned an elevation-dependent shear-strength value. The matric-suction profile of a desiccating soil deposit is nonlinear. Up to the air-entry value, an increase in matric suction is associated with a linear increase in shear strength. Beyond air entry, as the soil starts to desaturate, a nonlinear increase in shear strength occurs. The soil-water characteristic curve is stress dependent, as is the shear-strength gain as matric suction increases. In this paper, a three-dimensional, nonlinear regression analysis showed that a power-additive function is suitable to describe the variation of the shear strength of unsaturated soils with matric suction. The proposed function incorporates the effect of normal stress on the contribution of matric suction to the shear strength.Key words: air-entry value, matric suction, nonlinear regression, soil-water characteristic curve, tailings, unsaturated shear strength.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document