Sensitivity of Multistage Fill Slope Based on Finite Element Model

Based on the strength reduction method, the laws of slope displacement and the changing positions of the sliding surface during the filling process are studied. The model of multistage fill slope is established by the finite element software PLAXIS. The difference is compared between the slope with no reinforcement and with reinforcement under the same working condition. Sensitivity analysis is carried out from two aspects which are internal factors and external factors. The finite element analysis shows that the settlement of the multistage fill slope with no reinforcement is mainly concentrated on the right side of the slope and gradually decreases with the increase of the filling height. The position of the sliding outlet is located at the joint of the first and the second grade of the slope. The effect of the reinforcement on the sliding surface is ideal. It is obvious that the reinforcement can supply the slope with a better position of the sliding surface, which is beneficial to the stability of the slope. The sensitivity analysis shows that unit weight, ratio of slope, and height of each grade are negatively correlated with the safety factor. At the same time, the platform width, cohesion, and internal friction angle are positively correlated with the safety factor. The internal friction angle has the greatest influence on the stability of the slope. Besides, the platform width and the height of each grade should be controlled at about 4 m. The sensitivity analysis provides a reference for the design of the multistage filling slope.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mulching for Reducing Soil Erosion in Cut Slope and Fill Slope of Forest Roads in Hyrcanian Forests

Forest operations often enhance runoff and soil loss in roads and skid trails, where cut slopes and fill slopes are the most important source of sediment. This study evaluated the effectiveness of four erosion control treatments applied to cut slope and fill slope segments of forest roads of different ages in the Hyrcanian forest in northern Iran. The treatment combinations, each replicated three times, included four classes of mulch cover (bare soil [BS], wood chips cover [WCH], sawdust cover [SC], and rice straw cover [RSC]), two levels of side slope (cut slope and fill slope), two levels of side slope gradient (20–25% and 40–45%), and three levels of road age (three, 10 and 20 years after construction). Mulch cover treatments significantly reduced average surface runoff volume and sediment yield compared to BS. Regardless of erosion control treatment, greater surface runoff volume and soil loss under natural rainfall occurred on steeper slope gradients in all road age classes and decreased with increasing road age on both slope gradients. On cut slopes, average runoff and soil loss from the plots covered with WCH (17.63 l per plot, 2.43 g m–2) was lower than from those covered with SC (22.81 l per plot, 3.50 g m–2), which was lower than from those covered with RSC (29.13 l per plot, 4.41 g m–2 and BS (34.61 l per plot, 4.94 g m–2). On fill slopes, average runoff and soil loss from the plots covered with WCH (14.13 l per plot, 1.99 g m–2) was lower than from plots covered with SC (20.01 l per plot, 3.23 g m–2), which was lower than from plots covered with RSC (24.52 l per plot, 4.06 g m–2) and BS (29.03 l per plot, 4.47 g m–2). Surface cover successfully controlled erosion losses following road construction, particularly on steep side slopes with high erosion potential.

Distribution Property of Shear Strength Parameters of Q2 and Q3 Loess in Northwest China and Its Application in Reliability Analysis of Natural and Filled Slopes

Geological materials have randomness in nature. Statistical analysis can help revealing the variation pattern of the material parameters and the reliability of the slope. In this paper, the probability distribution and variability of shear strength parameters of typical Q2 and Q3 loess in Northwest China were statistically analysed using the collected geological survey data in Yan`an, Shaanxi Province. Resulting probability properties were applied to the reliability analysis for the natural and fill slope in loess area using the Monte Carlo Method. Finally, an optimization analysis was carried out for the fill slope in the background engineering project. Research results show that normal distribution and lognormal distribution can be used to describe the statistical properties of c and φ of Q2 and Q3 loess. Variance of c is large while the variability of φ is relatively small. The influence of the variability of φ on the reliability index of loess natural slope is generally larger than that of c. On the contrary, influence of the variability of c on the reliability index of the fill slope is generally greater than that of φ, which is related to the structural and uniformity of the soil. Finally, relation between slope height and minimum gradient coefficient is linear when the failure probability of fill slope is less than 10%. Results in this study can be used as a reference for the slope design and construction for the cut and fill engineering in loess area.