Soil slope analysis to develop useful correlations in saturated and unsaturated conditions

Abstract

Shear strength (τ), shear stress (σ s) and slope angle (β) play a very important role in the stability of any soil slope. This research investigates the slope stability of a soil slope to determine correlations between shear strength and slope angle and shear stress. The assessment and calculation of the soil slope are carried out using slope stability analysis methods that assume the failure surface as a circular slip surface. A limit equilibrium software program – namely, Slide – and a numerical modelling software program – namely, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences – are used for the analysis. Total 200 number of analyses were performed out of which 100 analyses in saturated and 100 in unsaturated condition. Correlations are developed between τ, β and σ s, which show a very close relationship among all these three parameters. The applicability of the equations is above 97%. The correlations can be used in any slope stability project to know about the shear strength of the slope with variation in the values of the slope angle and shear stress.