Limit Equilibrium Methods (LEM) on the slope stability problems
Şev Duraylılığında Problemlerinde Sınır Denge Yöntemi
Muhammed Emin Aytekin | maytekin@gmu.edu
Department of Civil Engineering| George Mason University
RESEARCH QUESTION
What are the effects of LEM on the slope stability problems ?
INTRODUCTION : Landslides have always occurred by natural or human-made. It can
cause life and prosperity losses. Therefore, it has a huge impact on the people lives.
The primary purposes of the slope stability problems to create safe and economic
structures; such as embankments, dams, roads, bridges by determination of methods
and calculation of the soils and lands data to solve equations of slope stability
problems. The slope stability analyses, thus, are so significant to prevent and remedy
the landslides by doing determinations to obtain safety factor of the slopes. (Safety
factor is a mainstream of the slope stability analyses due to find critical surface of the
slopes.) [1] There are a huge number of slope stability analysis methods: Limit
Analyses, Limit Equilibrium (LEM) Methods, Finite Equilibrium Methods (FEM), etc. [2]
However, these methods could not be sufficient every time due to heterogeneous
properties of the soil, and by the effects of inaccuracy and incorrect results of
assumptions on the slope stability problems. The most common and fundamental one
of these methods is Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM). [3] Although a huge number of
researches are examined on the slope stability analyses, there are limited numbers of
literature that inclined to the LEM and its shortcomings, purely.
Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study is that investigate the Limit
Equilibrium Methods (LEM) on the slope stability problems; by considering limitations
of its, and Software Programs for Slope Stability Analyses.
Limit Equilibrium Methods (LEM):. The most common using method is in slope
stability analysis is the LEM (Cheng & Lau, 2008). The main approach of the LEM is
that divides the slope into vertical slices that has a potential mass sliding. Each slices
station equations are calculated, to determine Factor of Safety of the slope. [4] As the
phrase is, it is a key point of the problems. Although LEM is very effective on solving
the problems, merely concentrated on static equilibrium that consists summing of
moments and vertical & horizontal forces equations. Fig. 1 & Fig.2 show the general
processes of the LEM. Σx = 0, Σy= 0; ΣM= 0 (1.1) (Σx : Total horizontal Forces ΣFy: Total
vertical forces, ΣM: Total Moments)
F= Σ(resisting forces) / Σ(driving forces); (1.2) Σ(resisting forces) & Σ(driving forces)
can understand geometry of the slope surface.
If FOS = 1, the slope is in critical condition. [2]
LITERATURE REVIEW
If FOS ≤1 slope is unsafe;
If FOS > 1 slope is safe
conditions.
Previous work that illustrates the current project in context.
Fig.1 Slices and forces in a sliding mass. [2] Fig.2 :Ordinary Method of Slices [4]
A large number of assumptions are done to obtain the critical slip surface that gives
the minimum factor of safety. It should be done different parts of the slope, until to
get minimum value of the FOS. Safety Factor (FOS) is calculated according to the shear
strength of the soil, and assumed stable during the slip surface.
There are so many unknowns (forces, pore pressure, earthquakes etc.), which is more
than the equilibrium equations. In this case, calculation of FOS is impossible statically.
Therefore, it needs to create a balance between equations and unknowns.
Simplified Bishop`s Method
In this method forces on the side slides is taken vertical. To ensure the vertical axis
equation and get normal stress, the vertical forces are summed.
The forces in which ways` upward it assumed positive. Although Simplified
Bishop`s method could not ensure the static equilibrium requirements by giving
relatively accurate results, it is more beneficial than the ordinary methods in the
case of analyses depends on effective stress and a high level pore water pressure.
As well, it has a well conformity by the LEM procedures that satisfy static
equilibrium, completely. (Bishop, 1955; Fredlund and Krahn, 1977; Duncan and
Wright, 1980) Wright et al.
Figure 3. A landslide block both lanes of Costa Rica Highway Wednesday, June 3, 2015, Costa Rica Fire Fighters, [6] Limitations: Bishop’s Method still does not satisfy all the conditions of static
equilibrium because of missing the summation of horizontal forces; therefore it is
incomplete form.[2] The shortages of this method his assumptions has (4n-1)
Methods of LEM:
unknowns; moment equilibrium cannot be satisfied all slices every time. (Lee W.
There are so many methods on the LEM, however, 3 of these are explained in Abramson, 2002)
this study. In the Swedish Circle Method, the safety factor is calculated by
assuming slip surface being a circular arc, and sum of the moments taking Software Programs:
according to the center. Moreover, the friction angle assumed `0` and claimed
There are a variety of software programs on the slope stability problems. Also,
shear strength, consist of merely cohesion.
these programs have a huge impact on the specific issues. Such as, some of these
In here, W= weight of the mass that take places in the slip surface, a= the are interested in merely calculation of the FOS. A number of FEM software
horizontal distance between weight center of the soil and center of the circle. programs are used in the LEM problems, by the primary calculations of the LEM.
Resisting forces are provided by the shear strength effects during the circular arc. Some of these are in below.
Fig.4 Slope and slip surface for Swedis Circle
SLOPE/W is a beneficial software program to help solve the problems; by using
Method [1]
the stress-strain relationship that are the factors of the FEM. The SLOPE/W
formulas depends on the boundary forces and total weights determinations.
Mr = Ƭlr Wa = Ƭlr Wa = clr / F Ƭ = c + ꭇ.tanØ =s/Ƭ GEO5: Geo5 is an effective software program by utilizing the traditional analytical
(L= circular arc length, r = radius of circle provide equilibrium resistance moments must be driving methods, and also dependent upon the FEM. It is also so beneficial on the some
moments. W = Weight; c=cohesion; l = distance ) Wa = clr / F ; F = clr / Wa (1.3)
specific issues of geotechnical engineering, such as; tunnels analyses, rock
Swedish Circle Method provides the moment equilibrium directly. In this method,
stability, etc. Some of the other beneficial software programs on the FEM are
in the case of slip surface defined a shape of circle, it is a correct way to slope
stability analyzes both heterogeneous slopes and homogenous in the lands. ABAQUS, midasNFX, ANSYS, NASTRAN, LS DYNA, which dependent on LEM
Limitations of Swedish Circle Method are the general shortages of LEM, and in shortages` solutions [5]
specific, as it seen it is merely useful on a circular failure interface due to its
assumption. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS:
The current methods on the slope stability problems, also in LEM, do not satisfy
the demands due to these methods` assumptions regards of unknown forces and
Ordinary Slice Methods
moments. Since, the assumptions might leads to inaccurate and incorrect results
In this method, there is an assumption which neglects the forces that affects sides
on the slope stability calculations. The other shortcoming of the LEM is purely
of slices. It is also known `Swedish Slice Method or Fellenius Method.`
dependent on the static equilibrium. This leads to missing the other external
In the slope, slip surface assumed circular, and moment are summed in the center forces on the calculations that have an enormous influences to get more exact
of the circle (Fig.2) ; this method only ensure moment equilibrium and helps to
calculate FOS, directly. It is convenient to hand calculation because of its
results.[2] To close the gap of the LEM, after the calculations of the LEM, the
primary data, -solutions of unknowns by solving LEM static equilibrium-
computable geometry. This method is not as accurate as the other LEM methods. (obtained from LEM) are used in the FEM software programs , by adding the
Limitations: Notwithstanding, Newton's third law isn't fulfilled by this technique in effects of the stress-strain forces that calculate the displacements of strain. For
light of the fact that, as a rule, the resultants on the left and right of a cut don't this, the FEM software programs (are mentioned above) are being utilized. Even
have a similar greatness and are not collinear. (Fredlund, DG; Krahn, J. (1977) though The LEM is effective on the shipshape slip surfaces` slopes, due to ensure
Owing to the its simple determination this method cannot give exact static equations, it should not be used on the complex-shaped slopes. Advent of
determinations. the technological improvements, computer software programs solve the slope
stability problems easily, thus, these programs should be used and improved. To
determine the new methods on the slope stability problems, these programs
REFERENCES
[1] Duncan, J. Michael, et al. Soil Strength and Slope Stability, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2014. ProQuest Ebook Central, should be beneficial. Even though there are a huge number of computer program
http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/gmu/detail.action?docID=1767444.
Created from gmu on 2018-07-25 16:38:33. exist on the slope stability analyses, each of them generally focus on a few specific
[2] John Krahn, The 2001 R.M. Hardy Lecture: The limits of limit equilibrium analyses, NRC Research Press, 2003, http://cgj.nrc.ca
[3] Y. M. Cheng C. K. Lau, Slope Stability Analysis and Stabilization: New Methods and Insight, Second Edition (pp.20,52,72) issues. In the future; new software programs should be generated, which have
[4] Kayabalı, K., 2006. Zemin şevlerinin duraylılığı, Gazi Kitabevi, ISBN: 975-6009-00-4, 299s ,pp.63
[5] https://geotechpedia.com/Software/Show/96/GEO5-Slope-Stability,2012
[6] A landslide block both lanes of Costa Rica Highway Wednesday, June 3, 2015, Costa Rica Fire Fighters, 1700 × 1100 http://www.ticotimes.net/2015/06/03/travel-alert-
sophisticated feature by solving most of issues on the same program.
landslide-completely-closes-passing-route-27