Stability of Soil Block on Low Interface Friction Plane With and Without Side Supports

Authors

  • Ouch Rithy Chulalongkorn University
  • Boonchai Ukritchon Chulalongkorn University
  • Thirapong Pipatpongsa Kyoto University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4186/ej.2016.20.2.123

Keywords:

Three-dimensional finite element analysis, physical model, limit equilibrium method, slip analysis and empirical equation.

Abstract

Slope instability is a challenging problem in geotechnical engineering. The main focus of this paper is to investigate the stability of a soil block, with and without side supports, resting on a low interface friction plane by employing a three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEA). In the numerical model, the soil block is modeled as a volume element with Mohr-Coulomb material in a drained condition. Interface elements are used at the bottom plane in order to capture the shear sliding on the interface plane. Side interface elements with fully rough surfaces are also used in the slip analysis with side supports. A failure analysis is performed by means of the gravity loading method. The results of 3D FEA are compared with those of the existing physical models for both cases. Extensive parametric studies of a slip analysis with side supports are carried out in order to develop an empirical equation for the stability number as a function of four normalized parameters. Finally, the paper presents an application of the proposed equation to the prediction of the failure width and the required width for the excavation of an actual mine.

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Author Biographies

Ouch Rithy

Geotechnical Research Unit, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Boonchai Ukritchon

Geotechnical Research Unit, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Thirapong Pipatpongsa

Department of Urban Management, Kyoto University, Katsura Campus Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8540, Japan

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Published In
Vol 20 No 2, May 18, 2016
How to Cite
[1]
O. Rithy, B. Ukritchon, and T. Pipatpongsa, “Stability of Soil Block on Low Interface Friction Plane With and Without Side Supports”, Eng. J., vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 123-145, May 2016.