Slope Stability Analysis
Expert-defined terms from the Postgraduate Certificate in Geotechnical Engineering & Soil Mechanics course at London School of Planning and Management. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
**Active Earth Pressure** #
**Active Earth Pressure**
Active earth pressure is the pressure exerted by a soil mass when it is in motio… #
This pressure is greater than the at-rest earth pressure and is caused by the movement of the soil.
**Bishop's Method** #
**Bishop's Method**
Bishop's method is a slip circle analysis technique used in slope stability anal… #
It takes into account the forces acting on the potential failure surface, including the weight of the soil, the shear strength of the soil, and the water pressure.
**Coefficient of Friction** #
**Coefficient of Friction**
The coefficient of friction is a dimensionless value that represents the amount… #
In geotechnical engineering, it is used to calculate the shear strength of soils.
**Critical Circle Method** #
**Critical Circle Method**
The critical circle method is a slope stability analysis technique that involves… #
This method is used to determine the stability of a slope and to identify the most critical failure surface.
**Darjan's Failure Criterion** #
**Darjan's Failure Criterion**
Darjan's failure criterion is a mathematical equation used to determine the shea… #
It takes into account the effects of normal stress, shear stress, and the internal friction angle of the soil.
**Effective Stress** #
**Effective Stress**
Effective stress is the stress that acts on the soil particles after the pore wa… #
It is calculated as the total stress minus the pore water pressure.
**Factor of Safety** #
**Factor of Safety**
The factor of safety is a measure of the stability of a slope #
It is calculated as the ratio of the shear strength of the soil to the shear stress. A factor of safety greater than 1 indicates that the slope is stable, while a factor of safety less than 1 indicates that the slope is unstable.
**Fellenius' Method** #
**Fellenius' Method**
Fellenius' method is a simplified slope stability analysis technique that involv… #
The forces acting on each slice are calculated and summed to determine the overall stability of the slope.
**Forces Acting on a Slope** #
**Forces Acting on a Slope**
The forces acting on a slope include the weight of the soil, the water pressure,… #
These forces must be taken into account when analyzing the stability of a slope.
**Mohr #
Coulomb Failure Criterion**
The Mohr #
Coulomb failure criterion is a mathematical equation used to determine the shear strength of soils. It takes into account the effects of normal stress, shear stress, and the internal friction angle of the soil.
**Passive Earth Pressure** #
**Passive Earth Pressure**
Passive earth pressure is the pressure exerted by a soil mass when it is being p… #
This pressure is less than the active earth pressure and is caused by the resistance of the soil to deformation.
**Pore Water Pressure** #
**Pore Water Pressure**
Pore water pressure is the pressure exerted by the water in the pores of a soil #
It is an important factor in slope stability analysis because it affects the effective stress in the soil.
**Rankine's Earth Pressure Theory** #
**Rankine's Earth Pressure Theory**
Rankine's earth pressure theory is a mathematical model used to calculate the ac… #
It takes into account the angle of internal friction of the soil and the angle of the wall.
**Slope Stability Analysis** #
**Slope Stability Analysis**
Slope stability analysis is the process of determining the stability of a slope #
It involves calculating the forces acting on the slope and comparing the shear stress to the shear strength of the soil.
**Stability Number** #
**Stability Number**
The stability number is a dimensionless value used in slope stability analysis #
It is calculated as the ratio of the shear strength of the soil to the effective stress.
**Total Stress** #
**Total Stress**
Total stress is the stress that acts on the soil particles, including both the w… #
It is used to calculate the effective stress in the soil.
**Undrained Shear Strength** #
**Undrained Shear Strength**
Undrained shear strength is the shear strength of a soil when it is loaded quick… #
It is an important factor in slope stability analysis because it affects the stability of the slope during rapid loading.
**Water Pressure** #
**Water Pressure**
Water pressure is the pressure exerted by the water in the pores of a soil #
It is an important factor in slope stability analysis because it affects the effective stress in the soil.
**Wedge Failure** #
**Wedge Failure**
Wedge failure is a type of slope failure that occurs when a block of soil separa… #
It is a common type of slope failure in steep slopes.
**Shear Strength** #
**Shear Strength**
Shear strength is the ability of a soil to withstand shear stress #
It is an important factor in slope stability analysis because it affects the stability of the slope.
**Circular Failure Surface** #
**Circular Failure Surface**
Circular failure surface is a type of failure surface used in slope stability an… #
It is a circle that passes through the potential failure zone and is used to calculate the forces acting on the soil.
**Effective Cohesion** #
**Effective Cohesion**
Effective cohesion is the cohesion of a soil when the pore water pressure has be… #
It is an important factor in slope stability analysis because it affects the shear strength of the soil.
**Factor of Safety Against Sliding** #
**Factor of Safety Against Sliding**
Factor of safety against sliding is a measure of the stability of a slope agains… #
It is calculated as the ratio of the shear strength of the soil to the shear stress.
**Passive Resistance** #
**Passive Resistance**
Passive resistance is the resistance offered by a soil mass when it is being pus… #
It is an important factor in slope stability analysis because it affects the stability of the slope.
**Slip Surface** #
**Slip Surface**
Slip surface is a surface along which a slope may fail #
It is an important factor in slope stability analysis because it affects the forces acting on the soil.
**Swelling Pressure** #
**Swelling Pressure**
Swelling pressure is the pressure exerted by a soil when it is subjected to mois… #
It is an important factor in slope stability analysis because it affects the stability of the slope.
**Tension Cracks** #
**Tension Cracks**
Tension cracks are cracks that form in the soil when the shear stress exceeds th… #
They are an important factor in slope stability analysis because they indicate a potential failure surface.
**Terzaghi's Effective Stress Principle** #
**Terzaghi's Effective Stress Principle**
Terzaghi's effective stress principle is a mathematical model used to calculate… #
It takes into account the weight of the soil, the water pressure, and the pore water pressure.
**Undrained Test** #
**Undrained Test**
Undrained test is a laboratory test used to determine the undrained shear streng… #
It is an important factor in slope stability analysis because it affects the stability of the slope during rapid loading.
**Active Zone** #
**Active Zone**
Active zone is the zone of a slope where the soil is being pushed away from the… #
It is an important factor in slope stability analysis because it affects the forces acting on the soil.
**Passive Zone** #
**Passive Zone**
Passive zone is the zone of a slope where the soil is being pushed towards the s… #
It is an important factor in slope stability analysis because it affects the forces acting on the soil.
**Factor of Safety Against Erosion** #
**Factor of Safety Against Erosion**
Factor of safety against erosion is a measure of the stability of a slope agains… #
It is calculated as the ratio of the shear strength of the soil to the shear stress caused by the erosion.
**Factor of Safety Against Settlement** #
**Factor of Safety Against Settlement**
Factor of safety against settlement is a measure of the stability of a slope aga… #
It is calculated as the ratio of the shear strength of the soil to the shear stress caused by the settlement.
**Factor of Safety Against Heave** #
**Factor of Safety Against Heave**
Factor of safety against heave is a measure of the stability of a slope against… #
It is calculated as the ratio of the shear strength of the soil to the shear stress caused by the heave.
**Factor of Safety Against Lateral Spread** #
**Factor of Safety Against Lateral Spread**
Factor of safety against lateral spread is a measure of the stability of a slope… #
It is calculated as the ratio of the shear strength of the soil to the shear stress caused by the lateral spread.
**Factor of Safety Against Piping** #
**Factor of Safety Against Piping**
Factor of safety against piping is a measure of the stability of a slope against… #
It is calculated as the ratio of the shear strength of the soil to the shear stress caused by the piping.
**Factor of Safety Against Weathering** #
**Factor of Safety Against Weathering**
Factor of safety against weathering is a measure of the stability of a slope aga… #
It is calculated as the ratio of the shear strength of the soil to the shear stress caused by the weathering.
**Factor of Safety Against Creep** #
**Factor of Safety Against Creep**
Factor of safety against creep is a measure of the #
Factor of safety against creep is a measure of the