Chapter 10

Stability of Slopes

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS

☞ Introduction ☞ Finite slopes

☞ Types of slopes ☞ Swedish circle method or method of slices
☞ Type of slope failure ☞ Location of most critical circle
☞ Different definitions of factor of safety (Fs ) ☞ Effective stress analysis
☞ Stability of an infinite slope of cohesionless ☞ Bishop’s method
soils ☞ Friction circle method
☞ Stability analysis of an infinite slope of cohe- ☞ Taylor’s method
sive soils

Introduction • It occurs in finite slopes.

• Slip surface is circular in case of homogeneous
Earth slope is an unsupported inclined surface of soil mass
conditions and non-circular in case of non-homo-
required in the construction of highways, railways, earth
geneous conditions.
dams, etc. The stability of earth slope is, therefore, impor-
• Based on depth factor, rotational slips are further
tant as the failure of a slope may lead to loss of life and
divided into three types.
property. The present chapter outlines the concept of sta-
bility of both finite and infinite slopes based on factor of H +D
Df =
safeties given by various methods. Gravitational forces and D
forces due to seepage of water in the soil mass are the rea-
sons for failure of earth slopes. Depth of hard stratum below top
Df =
Height of slope
Types of Slopes
1. Infinite slope: An infinite slope is one which
represents the boundary surface of a semi-infinite soil a
mass inclined to the horizontal soil have uniform soil
H b
properties below the free surface.
2. Finite slope: A slope of a finite extent bounded by a c
top surface is said to be finite.

Type of Slope Failure D Soft

1. Rotational failure: Occurs by rotation along a slip

surface by downward and outward movement of the Hard stratum
soil mass. Rotational failure

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If Df < 1 ⇒ Face failure Cm = Mobilized cohesion

Df = 1 ⇒ Toe failure fm = Mobilized angle of internal friction
Df > 1 ⇒ Base failure
(a) Toe failure: Failure occurs along the surface that Fs = Fc + Ff
passes through the toe.
(b) Face failure: Failure occurs along a surface that Factor of safety with respect to shear strength is equal
intersects the slope above the toe. to the factor of safety with respect to cohesion and
that with respect to angle of internal friction.
(c) Base failure: Failure surface passes below the
toe. 2. Factor of safety with respect to cohesion (Fc): It is
defined as the ratio of available cohesion intercept (C)
2. Translational failure:
and the mobilized cohesion intercept (Cm).
•• Translational failure occurs in an infinite slope
along a long failure surface parallel to the slope. C
In case of layered material, translational failure Fc =
Cm
occurs along the slope of layered material.

3. Factor of safety with respect to friction (Ff): It is

defined as the ratio of the available frictional strength
to the mobilized frictional strength.

tan φ
Fφ =
tan φm

Stability of an Infinite Slope

of Cohesionless Soils
The stability criteria of an infinite slope of cohesion less
Translational failure soils will depend on whether the soil is dry, submerged or
steady seepage.
•• The shape of translational failure depends on the 1. Dry soil: Consider a section of infinite slope making
hard stratum at shallow depth below the slope an slope angle of i.
surface.
b cosi B T
A
Different Definitions of Factor H
N w
b i
of Safety (Fs) i
w
1. Factor of safety with respect to shear strength: It
is defined as the ratio of shear strength to shear stress D
T
along the surface of failure: C
N
i
S
Fs =
τm
The normal and shear stresses are given by:
Where N w cos i γ Hb cos 2 i
σ= = = = γ H cos 2 i
Fs = Factor of safety with respect to shear b b b
strength T w sin i γ Hb cos i sin i
S = Shear stress C= = = = γ H cos i sin i
b b b
tm = Mobilized shear strength (equal to applied
shear stress) In the above equation, w is called ‘weight of prism
per unit length’.
C + σ tan φ
Fs = w = g × volume of prism per unit length
Cm + σ tan φm
w = g × Hb cos i

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Factor of safety against shear failure is given by: NOTE

S Shear strength Factor of safety in case of seepage parallel to the slope
Fs = = is reduced to one-half of the condition when there is no
τ Shear stress
seepage.
S = s tan f = g Hcos2i tan f

C = g H cos i sin i

Stability Analysis of an Infinite
Fs =
γH cos 2i tan φ Slope of Cohesive Soils
γ H cos i sin i 1. Dry soil:
Factor of safety:
tan φ
Fs =
tan i S C + (γ ′H cos 2 i ) tan φ
Fs = =
τ γ ′H cos i sin i
For dry cohesion less soil:
For i < f → slope is stable
2. Submerged slope:
i = f → slope is just stable •• Normal and tangential components of weight are
i > f → slope is not stable taken for submerged unit weight and not for bulk
unit weights.
NOTE
Factor of safety of an infinite slope of cohesionless soil is C + γ ′H cos 2 i tan φ
independent of the height ‘H’ of slope. Fs =
γ ′H cos i sin i
2. Submerged slope:
•• In case of slope submerged under water, the nor- 3. Steady seepage along the slope:
mal effective stress and the shear stress are calcu-
lated using the submerged unit weight and not the C + γ ′H cos 2 i tan φ
bulk unit weight as used for dry soil. Fs =
γ sat H cos i sin i
  s = g ′ Hcos2i
  C = g ′ Hcos i sin i
  Where, g ′ is the submerged unit weight.
  Factor of safety,
Finite Slopes
The following methods are used to analyze finite slopes.
S (γ ′H cos 2 i ) tan φ
Fs = = 1. fu = 0 analysis
τ γ ′H cos i sin i
2. Swedish circle method or method of slices
  For submerged soil, 3. Bishop’s method
4. Friction circle method
tan φ
Fs = 5. Stability number method
tan i
fu = 0 Analysis
NOTE •• The stability of the slope can be checked in terms
Factor of safety of an infinite slope for cohesionless soil is of total stress for fully-saturated clay under und-
same for dry and submerged conditions. rained condition.
•• Suitable for slopes immediately after construction.
3. Steady seepage along the slope: Factor of safety in
•• In fu = 0, analysis failure surface is assumed as on
case of seepage parallel to the slope is given by
arc of circle.
γ ′ tan φ •• The following figure shows a failure surface with
Fs = centre ‘O’ and radius ‘r’.
γ sat tan i

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circle is 10.3 m. The factor of safety against the slip circle

failure is nearly equal to
O
(A) 1.05 (B) 1.22
(C) 0.78 (D) 1.28
θ
r
Solution
B
Cu La r
Fs =
w⋅x
r
Where Cu = 30 kPa, g = 20 kN/m3
e x = 2.3 m,
G
g = 10.3 m
w w = Weight of soil with in slip surface
Cu
= Area × 1 × g
= 82 × 1 × 20
A
w = 1640 kN
30 × 15.6 × 10.3
F=
1640 × 2.30
Restraining moment Cu La r
Factor of safety = = F = 1.28.
Sliding moment w×e

Where Swedish Circle Method

La = Length of arc AB = r ⋅ θ ° = r ⋅ θ ×
π
radians or Method of Slices
180 In this method, the failure wedge is assumed as an arc of
r = Radius of slip circle circle and is divided into vertical slices by drawing vertical
W = Weight of soil within slip surface lines of equal width (b).
Cu = Undrained cohesion r sin θ
= shearing strength of soil since fu= 0 O

e = Lever arm of w about ‘O’

r
R
SOLVED EXAMPLE
o B
Example 1
θ b (6)
The critical slip circle for a slope is shown below along the r
(5)
soil properties (4)
f=0
Cu = 30 kpa c
(3)
g = 20 kN/m3 (2) N
(1) w
T
A

Swedish circle method

Each slice is in equilibrium under the following forces:

w 1. Weight (w) acting vertically through its centre of

2.3 m gravity.
2. Cohesive force (C) acting along the curved surface
in direction opposite to the direction of probable
movement of wedge.
The length of the arc of the slip circle is 15.6 m and the area 3. Reaction ‘R’ at the base inclined at an angle f to the
of soil within the slip circle is 82 m2. The radius of the slip normal.

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In the Swedish circle method, forces acting between •• For purely cohesive soil, the point ‘A’ is the centre of the
the slices are neglected. But the error due to this most critical circle. For other soils, it lies on the line or on
assumption is a positive side of factor of safety, i.e., the extension of line AB.
Fs is generally less than that obtained from more
accurate methods, such as Bishop’s method.
Effective Stress Analysis
The factor of safety is determined by considering
•• Total stress analysis (Example: fu = 0 analysis and
the moments about the centre of rotation ‘O’.
Swedish method) is applied for the analysis of stabil-
  Factor of safety for the slice: ity of a slope soon after construction under undrained
conditions.
Resisting moment (M r )
Fs = •• Effective stress analysis is appropriate if seepage or drain-
Overturning moment (M 0 ) age takes place.
•• In case of steady seepage through an earth dam or
Resisting moment ( M R ) = (c ∆ L ) × r + R( r sin φ ) embankment, the stability of downstream slope is consid-
= (C D L) × r + N ⋅ r tan f ered to be most critical.
•• In case of rapid or sudden draw down, the upstream slope
Actuating or overturning moment (M0)
of an embankment or on earth dam represents the critical
= T × r (normal component passes through ‘O’ and do condition.
not cause any moment) •• In case of immediately after construction, the sta-
Factor of safety of the entire wedge bility of upstream and downstream slopes are to be
considered.
CL + ∑ N tan φ
Fs = without seepage
∑T

Fs =
C ′L + ∑( N − U ) tan φ
with seepagge
Bishop’s Method
∑T The Bishop’s method considers the forces acting on the
sides of slices. It is an accurate method compared to the
•• The circle which gives the minimum factor of Swedish method in which the forces acting on the sides of
safety is the most critical circle. slices is neglected.
•• This method is equally applicable to homogeneous
soils, stratified deposits, partially submerged cases
and non-uniform slopes and seepage effects can
also be considered. Friction Circle Method
•• This method is useful for stability analysis of slopes made
of homogeneous soils.
Location of Most •• In this method also, the failure surface is assumed as an
Critical Circle arc of circle.
•• Friction circle is a smaller circle of radius r. sin f. Also
•• The Fellenius method is used for location of the centre of
called f circle.
most critical circle.
•• The resultant of normal reaction and frictional force is
•• The centre of most critical circle lines on Fellenius line
tangential to the friction circle.
AB.
•• Fellenius line ‘AB’ can be obtained by locating the point
‘B’ at a distance ‘H’ and at a distance 4.5 H from point P
r sin ϕ
at the toe of slope and point ‘A’ is located by drawing two
lines ‘PA’ and ‘QA’ making an angle a with slope ‘PQ’,
and making an angle b with the horizontal at ‘Q’. θ r
A

β Q
r
H
w
α C
P
Fellenius line H
4.5 H B R
ϕ
Fellenius line

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Taylor’s Method NOTES

Stability number (Sn) is given by: 1. For purely frictional soils, the cohesion intercept (C)
is zero. As the stability number reduces to zero, the
Cm C C stability charts cannot be used for such soils.
Sn = = ; Fc =
γ H Fc γ H Cm 2. For submerged slope:

The reciprocal of stability number is known as stability C

Sn =
factor. It is a dimensionless quantity. Fc γ ′H
•• The values of Sn given by Taylor are based on the friction 3. If the slope is saturated by capillary water:
circle method, and for values of fm and i.
C
•• For purely cohesive soil (fm = 0°), stability number Sn =
depends on i and Df  . Fc γ sat H
•• For slope angle (i) greater than 53°, the toe failure occurs
and for i ≤ 53°, and small values of fm, the failure surface 4. In case of sudden drawdown, weighed friction angle
extends below the toe, i.e., base failure occurs. (fw) and gsat should be used,
•• Stability number is used to determine the factor of safety
 γ′ 
given by: φw =  
 γ sat 
C C
Fc = = Sn is read against the fw value.

C m Snγ H

Maximum value of Sn = 0.261, for i = 90°, fm = 0°, and

for i = 90° and Df = 1.

Exercises

1. With respect to a c-ϕ soil in an infinite slope, identify if 4. A deep cut of 7 m has to be made in a clay with unit
the following two statements are true or false. weight 16 kN/m3 and a cohesion of 25 kN/m3. What
I. The stable slope angle can be greater than ϕ. will be the factor of safety if one has to have a slope
II. The factor of safety of the slope does not depend on angle of 30°? Stability number is given to 0.178 (from
the height of soil in the slope. Taylor’s chart) for a depth factor of 3.
(A) 0.80 (B) 1.1
(A) Both statements are false.
(C) 1.25 (D) 1.0
(B) I is true but II is false.
5. The critical slip circle for a slope is shown in the given
(C) I is false but II is true. figure along with the soil properties.
(D) Both statements are true.
2. A granular soil possesses saturated density of 20
kN/m3. Its effective angle of internal friction is 35°.
If the desired factor of safety is 1.5, the safe angle of 2.3 m
slope for this soil, when seepage occurs at and parallel
w
to the slope surface, will be
(A) 25° (B) 23°
(C) 20° (D) 13° ϕ=0
3. A 40° slope is excavated to a depth of 10 m in a deep Cu = 30 kPa
layer of saturated clay of unit weight 20 kN/m3; the rel-
γ = 20 kN/m3
evant shear strength parameters are cu = 72 kN/m2 and
The length of the arc of the slip circle is 15.6 m and the
ϕu = 0. The rock ledge is at a great depth. The Taylor’s
area of soil within the slip circle is 82 m2. The radius
stability coefficient for ϕu = 0 and 40° slope angle is
of the slip circles is 10.3 m. The factor of safety against
0.18. The factor of safety of the load is:
the slip circle failure is nearly equal to
(A) 2.0 (B) 2.1 (A) 1.05 (B) 1.22
(C) 2.2 (D) 2.3 (C) 0.78 (D) 1.28

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6. An infinite slope is to be constructed in a soil. The mobilized cohesion and friction, at a factor of safety of
effective stress strength parameters of the soil are 1.5 with respect to shear strength, the mobilized fric-
c′ = 0 and ϕ′ = 30°, the saturated unit weight of the tion angle is
slope is 20 kN/m3 and the unit weight of water is 10 (A) 20.02° (B) 21.05°
kN/m3. Assuming that seepage is occurring parallel (C) 23.33° (D) 30.00°
to the slope, the maximum slope angle for a factor of 13. Using ϕu = 0 analysis and assuming planar failure as
safety of 1.5 would be shown, the minimum factor of safety against shear fail-
(A) 10.89° (B) 11.30° ure of a vertical cut of height 4 m in a pure clay having
(C) 12.48° (D) 14.73° Cu = 120 kN/m2 and ϕsat = 20 kN/m3 is

Direction for questions 7 and 8:

A canal having side slopes 1 : 1 is proposed to be con- 4m
structed in a cohesive soil to a depth of 10 m below the
ground surface. The soil properties are: ϕu = 15°, Cu = 12 Potential failure plane
kPa, e = 1.0, Gs = 2.65. (A) 1 (B) 6
7. If Taylor’s stability number Sn is 0.08 and if the canal (C) 10 (D) 20
flows full, the factor of safety with respect to cohesion 14. For two infinite slopes (one in dry condition and other
against failure of the canal bank slope will be in submerged condition) in a sand deposit having the
(A) 3.7 (B) 1.85 angle of shearing resistance 30°, factor of safety was
(C) 1.0 (D) None of these determined as 1.5 (for both slopes). The slope angles
8. If an infinite slope of clay at a depth 5 m has cohesion would have been
of 1t/m2 and unit weight of 2t/m3, then the stability (A) 21.05° for dry slope and 21.05° for submerged
number will be slope.
(A) 0.1 (B) 0.2 (B) 19.47° for dry slope and 18.40° for submerged
(C) 0.3 (D) 0.4 slope.
9. Consider the following statements associated with sta- (C) 18.4° for slope and 21.05° for submerged slope.
bility of slope: (D)  22.6° for dry slope and 19.47° for submerged
I. Stability number is inversely proportional to cohe- slope.
sion and directly proportional to height. 15. List I below gives the possible types of failure for a
II. Swedish method of analysis is based on circular finite soil slope and List II gives the reasons for these
failure surfaces. different types of failure. Match the items in List I with
III. The Culmann method assumes that rupture will the items in List II.
occur in a plane. List I List II
Which of these statements are correct? P. Base failure 1. Soils above and below the toe have
(A) II and III (B) I and III same strength
(C) I and II (D) I, II and III Q. Face failure 2. Soil above the toe is comparatively
weaker
10. Taylor’s stability number Sn is given by which one of
the following expressions? (c is cohesion, Fc is fac- R. Toe failure 3. Soil above the toe is comparatively
stronger
tor of safety, γ is density of soil and H is height of the
slope). Codes:
c c P Q R P QR
(A) (B)
Fc γ γH (A) 1 2 3 (B) 2 3 1
c c (C) 2 1 3 (D) 3 2 1
(C) (D)
Fc γ H Fc (γ + H ) 16. For toe failure, the depth factor DF is
11. If there is a sudden drawdown of water in the canal and (A) < 1 (B) > 1
if Taylor’s stability number for the reduced value of ϕw (C) = 1 (D) None of these
is 0.126, the factor of safety with respect to cohesion 17. The maximum value of stability number is
against the failure of bank slopes will be (A) 0.261 (B) 0.281
(A) 1.85 (B) 1.18 (C) 0.241 (D) 0.291
(C) 0.84 (D) 0.53 18. A canal having side slopes 1 : 1 is proposed to be con-
12. An infinite soil slope with an inclination of 35° is sub- structed in a cohesive soil to a depth of 10 m below
jected to seepage parallel to its surface. The soil has ground surface. The soil properties are ϕU = 20°, Cu =
c′ = 100 kN/m2 and ϕ′ = 30°. Using the concept of 25 kPa, e = 1, GS = 2.65.

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If taylor’s stability number Sn is 0.08 and canal is full, I. Skempton’s theory is suitable for clays only.
the factor of safety with respect to cohesion against II. The discharge between any two adjacent flow lines
failure of canal bank slopes is is constant.
(A) 3.85 (B) 3.65 III. If water table rises σ ′ and u increases but σ
(C) 7.85 (D) 1.7 decreases.
19. The cohesion and density of a soil are 4t/m2 and 8 t/m2 IV. The westergaard analysis is suitable for stratified
respectively. For a factor of safety of 2 and stability soils.
number 0.1 the safe height of slope is (A) III and IV
(A) 5 m (B) 50 m (B) I and III
(C) 25 m (D) 2.5 m (C) III only
20. The cohesion and density of a soil are 1.8t/m2 and (D) IV only
2 t/m2. If Stability number is taken as maximum, for a 23. A trench is to be cut with vertical sides. It is a pure
factor of safety against 2.5 what will be the safe height cohesive soil having bulk density 1.8 t/m3 and cohe-
of the slope in metres? sion C = 2.4 t/m2, if i = 90°, Sn = 0.261, the depth upto
21. which the trench can be excavated without any lateral
support is
(A) 4.6 m B) 3.4 m
(C) 4.9 m (D) 5.1 m
H
24. Determine the factor of safety with respect to cohesion
for a submerged embankment of 25 m high and having
GL a slope of 40°.
(C = 40 kN/m2, ϕm = 10°, γsat = 18 kN/m3)
Soft soil
D stability numbers
ϕm
0° 5° 10°
i
Hard stratum
30° 0.156 0.110 0.075
For the given slope, the failure expected to be _____. 45° 0.170 0.136 0.108
(A) toe failure 60° 0.191 0.162 0.138
(B) base failure
(C) face failure (A) 2 (B) 2.6
(D) Cannot be determined/Data inadequate (C) 3.2 (D) 4.1
22. Identify the false statements from the list given.

Previous Years Questions

1. The factor of safety of an infinite soil slope shown undrained shear strength and γt is total unit weight.
in the figure having the properties ϕ = 35°, γdry = 16 The slip will occur at a depth of [GATE, 2013]
kN/m3 and γsat = 20 kN/m3 is [GATE, 2007]
5m

Soil A: γ t = 16 kN/m3; Su = 40 kN/m2 5m

10 m 8 m Soil B: γ t = 20 kN/m3; Su = 60 kN/m2

30°

Rock
(A) 0.70 (B) 0.80
(C) 1.00 (D) 1.20
2. The soil profile above the rock surface for a 25° 25°
infinite slope is shown in the figure, where su is the

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(A) 8.83 m may occasionally rise to the surface, with seepage

(B) 9.79 m taking place parallel to the slope. Use γsat = 18 kN/
(C) 7.83 m m3 and γw = 10 kN/m3. The maximum slope angle (in
(D) 6.53 m degrees) to ensure a factor of safety of 1.5, assuming
3. An infinitely long slope is made up of a c-ϕ soil hav- a potential failure surface parallel to the slope, would
ing the properties: cohesion C = 20 kPa, and dry unit be [GATE, 2014]
weight γd = 16 kN/m3. The angle of inclination and (A) 45.3 (B) 44.7
critical height of the slope are 40° and 5 m, respec- (C) 12.3 (D) 11.3
tively. To maintain the limiting equilibrium, the 5. In friction circle method of slope stability analysis,
angle of internal friction of the soil (in degrees) is if r defines the radius of the slip circle, the radius of
_________. [GATE, 2014] friction circle is [GATE, 2015]
4. A long slope is formed in a soil with shear strength (A) r sin ϕ (B) r
parameters: c′ = 0 and ϕ′ = 34°. A firm stratum lies (C) r cos ϕ (D) r tan ϕ
below the slope and it is assumed that the water table

Answer Keys

Exercises
1. B 2. D 3. A 4. C 5. D 6. A 7. B 8. A 9. A 10. C
11. D 12. B 13. B 14. A 15. D 16. C 17. A 18. A 19. D
20. 1.37 to 1.40 21. B 22. C 23. D 24. A

Previous Years’ Questions

1. A 2. A 3. 22.44° 4. D 5. A

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