Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Physical and numerical studies of stability of soil blocks reinforced by brittle shear pins

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Acta Geotechnica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, the stability and failure mechanism of soil blocks that were reinforced by brittle shear pins and rested on a low-interface friction plane were studied by means of physical and numerical models. The humid silica sand no. 6 was employed to build the physical models of soil blocks, while the Teflon sheet was employed as the low-interface friction plane. To study the effect of stabilizing piles on slopes, the soil blocks were reinforced by brittle shear pins using pencil leads with 2 mm in diameter. Three-dimensional finite element analyses were employed to analyze the stability of this problem. The effects of numbers and patterns of shear pins on the stability and failure mechanisms of physical and numerical models were compared and discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Atkinson J (2007) The mechanics of soils and foundations, 2nd edn. Taylor and Francis, London, pp 418–421

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ausilio E, Conte E, Dente G (2001) Stability analysis of slopes reinforced with piles. Comput Geotech 28(8):591–611

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Borja RI (2013) Plasticity modeling and computation. Springer, Berlin

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  4. Borja RI, Liu X, White JA (2012) Multiphysics hillslope processes triggering landslides. Acta Geotech 7(4):261–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Borja RI, White JA (2010) Continuum deformation and stability analyses of a steep hillside slope under rainfall infiltration. Acta Geotech 5(1):1–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Brinkgreve R, Engin E, Swolfs W (2013) PLAXIS 3D tutorial manual. PLAXIS, Delft

    Google Scholar 

  7. Brinkgreve R, Swolfs W, Engin E, Waterman D, Chesaru A, Bonnier P, Galavi V (2013) PLAXIS 3D reference manual. PLAXIS, Delft

    Google Scholar 

  8. Camargo J, Velloso RQ, Vargas EA (2016) Numerical limit analysis of three-dimensional slope stability problems in catchment areas. Acta Geotech 11(6):1369–1383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Choo J, White JA, Borja RI (2016) Hydromechanical modeling of unsaturated flow in double porosity media. Int J Geomech 16(6):D4016002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Davis EH (1968) Theories of plasticity and the failure of soil masses. In: Lee IK (ed) Soil mechanics: selected topics. Butterworth, London, pp 341–380

    Google Scholar 

  11. Di Laora R, Fioravante V (2018) A method for designing the longitudinal spacing of slope-stabilising shafts. Acta Geotech 13(5):1141–1153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Drucker DC, Prager W (1952) Soil mechanics and plastic analysis on limit design. Q Appl Math 10:157–165

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  13. Ito T, Matsui T (1975) Methods to estimate lateral force acting on stabilizing piles. Soils Found 15(4):43–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Ito T, Matsui T, Hong WP (1982) Extended design method for multi-row stabilizing piles against landslide. Soils Found 22(1):1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Keawsawasvong S, Ukritchon B (2017) Stability of unsupported conical excavations in non-homogeneous clays. Comput Geotech 81:125–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Khosravi MH (2012) Arching effect in geomaterials with applications to retaining walls and undercut slopes. Ph.D. thesis, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

  17. Khosravi MH, Pipatpongsa T, Takahashi A, Takemura J (2011) Arch action over an excavated pit on a stable scarp investigated by physical model tests. Soils Found 51(4):723–735

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Khosravi MH, Tang L, Pipatpongsa T, Takemura J, Doncommul P (2012) Performance of counterweight balance on stability of undercut slope evaluated by physical modeling. Int J Geotech Eng 6(2):193–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Leelasukseree C, Mavong N, Khosravi MH, Pipatpongsa T (2012) Physical and numerical models of undercut slope lying on steeply inclined bedding plane. In: Proceeding of the 17th National Convention on Civil Engineering, Thailand, GTE045

  20. Leelasukseree C, Pipatpongsa T, Khosravi MH, Mavong N (2012) Stresses and a failure mode from physical and numerical models of undercut slope lying on inclined bedding plane. In: Proceedings of 7th Asian Rock Mechanics symposium. Korean Society for Rock Mechanics, Seoul, pp 1295–1304

  21. Li L, Liang RY (2014) Limit equilibrium based design approach for slope stabilization using multiple rows of drilled shafts. Comput Geotech 59:67–74

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  22. Liang RY, Joorabchi AE, Li L (2014) Analysis and design method for slope stabilization using a row of drilled shafts. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng ASCE 140(5):04014001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Muraro S, Madaschi A, Gajo A (2014) On the reliability of 3D numerical analyses on passive piles used for slope stabilisation in frictional soils. Geotechnique 4(6):486–492

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Nian T, Chen G, Luan M, Yang Q, Zheng D (2008) Limit analysis of the stability of slopes reinforced with piles against landslide in nonhomogeneous and anisotropic soils. Can Geotech J 45(8):1092–1103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Ouch R (2016) Numerical and experimental studies of undercut slopes inclined along a bedding plane. D.Eng. thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

  26. Ouch R, Ukritchon B, Pipatpongsa T (2016) Stability of soil block on low interface friction plane with and without side supports. Eng J 20(2):123–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Ouch R, Ukritchon B, Pipatpongsa T, Khosravi MH (2016) Experimental investigations of shear pin arrangement on soil slope resting on low interface friction plane. Maejo Int J Sci Technol 10(3):313–329

    Google Scholar 

  28. Ouch R, Ukritchon B, Pipatpongsa T, Khosravi MH (2017) Finite element analyses of the stability of a soil block reinforced by shear pins. Geomech Eng 12(6):1021–1046

    Google Scholar 

  29. Pipatpongsa T, Khosravi M, Takemura J (2013) Physical modeling of arch action in undercut slopes with actual engineering practice to Mae Moh open-pit mine of Thailand. In: Proceedings of the 18th international conference on soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering (ICSMGE18), Paris

  30. Poulos HG (1995) Design of reinforcing piles to increase slope stability. Can Geotech J 32(5):808–818

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Powrie W (2013) Soil mechanics: concepts and applications, 3rd edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 626–631

    Book  Google Scholar 

  32. Semnani SJ, White JA, Borja RI (2016) Thermoplasticity and strain localization in transversely isotropic materials based on anisotropic critical state plasticity. Int J Numer Analyt Methods Geomech 40(18):2423–2449

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Sloan S (2013) Geotechnical stability analysis. Geotechnique 63(7):531–571

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Song X, Borja RI (2014) Mathematical framework for unsaturated flow in the finite deformation range. Int J Numer Methods Eng 97(9):658–682

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  35. Tang H, Gong W, Wang L, Juang CH, Martin JR, Li C (2019) Multiobjective optimization-based design of stabilizing piles in earth slopes. Int J Numer Anal Methods Geomech 43(7):1516–1536

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Techawongsakorn T, Hirai H, Khosravi M, Pipatpongsa T (2013) Slip mechanisms and interface shear strength between moist silica sand and acrylic plate. In: Proceedings of the 48th Japan national conference on geotechnical engineering, Japan, pp 895–896

  37. Ukritchon B, Keawsawasvong S (2018) A new design equation for drained stability of conical slopes in cohesive-frictional soils. J Rock Mech GeotechEng 10(2):358–366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Ukritchon B, Ouch R, Pipatpongsa T, Khosravi MH (2018) Investigation of stability and failure mechanism of undercut slopes by three-dimensional finite element analysis. KSCE J Civ Eng 22(5):1730–1741

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Wang Y, Zhang G, Wang A (2018) Block reinforcement behavior and mechanism of soil slopes. Acta Geotech 13(5):1155–1170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Wei W, Cheng Y (2009) Strength reduction analysis for slope reinforced with one row of piles. Comput Geotech 36(7):1176–1185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Zhang G, Wang L, Wang Y (2017) Pile reinforcement mechanism of soil slopes. Acta Geotech 12(5):1035–1046

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Zhang T, Zheng H, Sun C (2019) Global method for stability analysis of anchored slopes. Int J Numer Analyt Methods Geomech 43(1):124–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Zhao Y, Semnani SJ, Yin Q, Borja RI (2018) On the strength of transversely isotropic rocks. Int J Numer Analyt Methods Geomech 42(16):1917–1934

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Zhou C, Shao W, van Westen CJ (2014) Comparing two methods to estimate lateral force acting on stabilizing piles for a landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China. Eng Geol 173:41–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the ASEAN University Network/Southeast Asia Engineering Education Department Network (AUN/SEED-Net) PhD Sandwich Program under the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) for the Project “Failure mechanisms and stabilization of undercut slope with faults at Lowwall Area 4.1 by using shear pins and rock bunds”.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Excellence in Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Boonchai Ukritchon

  2. Department of Rural Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    Rithy Ouch

  3. Department of Urban Management, Kyoto University, Katsura Campus, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8540, Japan

    Thirapong Pipatpongsa

  4. Rock Mechanics Research Unit, School of Mining Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Hossein Khosravi

Authors
  1. Boonchai Ukritchon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rithy Ouch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Thirapong Pipatpongsa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mohammad Hossein Khosravi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Boonchai Ukritchon.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ukritchon, B., Ouch, R., Pipatpongsa, T. et al. Physical and numerical studies of stability of soil blocks reinforced by brittle shear pins. Acta Geotech. 14, 2103–2122 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-019-00824-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-019-00824-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation