Analysis Method for Drilled Shaft–Stabilized Slopes Using Arching Concept

Abstract

The use of drilled shafts to stabilize an unstable slope has gained popularity in highway applications, mainly because it is a structural fix that does not require additional right-of-way. An analysis method for determining the factor of safety of a drilled shaft or slope system and for determining the earth thrust on the drilled shafts for structural design is introduced. The concept of the analysis is cast in the limiting equilibrium approach via the method of slices, while incorporating the drilled shaft–induced arching effects as the soil mass moved downslope and around the drilled shafts. The mathematical equations based on the limiting equilibrium calculation, together with the load transfer factor for accounting for the drilled shaft–induced arching effects, are presented. The three-dimensional finite element model parametric study using ABAQUS program was used to derive the semiempirical equations for quantifying the arching effect. A UASLOPE computer program was written to incorporate these algorithms for applications to real cases. A case study of a fully instrumented and monitored slope stabilization project, ATH-124, in Ohio, is presented. The analysis of the slope at the project site using finite element modeling and the computer code UASLOPE is presented, together with field-monitored data. On the basis of field monitoring data and the comparison between the finite element analysis results with the computer code UASLOPE results, the suggested analysis and design approach appears to be reasonable.