International Journal of Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, 5(2), 37-43, July-December 2014 37
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ABSTRACT
In this present paper, a circular failure surface passing through the toe is assumed for a homogeneous soil, and
the Fellenius line is used to locate the centre of the most critical circle. Using limit equilibrium analysis under
the infuence of static forces such as weight of potential slide mass and surcharge along with the pseudo-static
seismic forces are considered to obtain the factor of safety of the slopes. Factor of safety is found through
the application of force equilibrium. The effects of variation of different parameters like slope angle (i), soil
friction angle (Φ) and seismic acceleration coeffcients both in the horizontal and vertical directions (k
h
and
k
v
respectively) on the factor of safety are presented. Finally, the present results are compared to the existing
solutions available in literature and found to give minimum values of factor of safety using the present ap-
proach for seismic slope stability analysis.
Pseudo-Static Analysis
of Slope Considering
Circular Rupture Surface
Sima Ghosh, NIT Agartala, Agartala, India
Keywords: Equilibrium Analysis, Fellenius Line, Pseudo-Static Seismic Forces, Slope Angle, Soil Friction
Angle
INTRODUCTION
Failures are found to occur in both natural and
man-made slopes. In the natural environment
landslides occur frequently and they are a part
of the ongoing evolution of landscape. More
rarely failures occur in man-made earth slopes,
which are designed specifically to resist the
forces of nature. Particularly earthquake induced
landslides have caused great amounts of damage
and loss of life as found in the history.
Hence, the seismic analysis of slope has
gained tremendous importance in terms of
research as the stable slopes under static con-
dition become unstable during earthquakes.
Although, different methods are available to
analyze the stability of slopes under both the
static and seismic conditions, but the complete
solution for the seismic stability of slopes is
still scarce. Some of the classical works carried
out by researchers like Taylor (1937, 1948) for
translation failure of slope on a planar failure
DOI: 10.4018/ijgee.2014070103