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Approaches to Slope Stability Analysis Considering the Effects of Dilatancy and Strength Non-linearity: A Review

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Recent Developments in Sustainable Infrastructure (ICRDSI-2020)—Structure and Construction Management

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering ((LNCE,volume 221))

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Abstract

Failure of natural or engineered slopes can have considerable negative economic consequences and may even result in loss of human lives. Slope stability analyses have assumed increasing importance in engineering practice to ensure stable slopes while providing economic solutions. A survey of literature shows that ignoring dilatancy effects, as is usually done in conventional limit equilibrium approaches, may provide conservative results. However, in case of a finite element approach, adopting an associated flow rule, i.e., (ѱ = ϕ) could lead to overestimation of stability. Using a non-associated flow rule, on the other hand, may lead to numerical instabilities. The Limit Analysis approach, which can bracket the true factor of safety, is also restricted to an associated flow rule, while soils may not always conform to the associated flow rule. The present study aims to discuss the works of several authors in this area bringing out the significance of dilatancy in slope stability analyses. As has been shown in the literature, many soils exhibit nonlinear strength envelopes, especially at low effective normal stresses. Using the traditional linear Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion, without due regard to nonlinearity in the stress range under consideration may result in inaccurate predictions of stability. Several approaches are available in the literature to better represent the nonlinear strength criteria in stability analyses. The present work aims to review literature on slope stability analysis considering the effects of strength nonlinearity and dilatancy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

    J. Nihar Ranjan, Benu G. Mohapatra & Manal Alali

Authors
  1. J. Nihar Ranjan
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  2. Benu G. Mohapatra
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  3. Manal Alali
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Benu G. Mohapatra .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, India

    B. B. Das

  2. Department of Construction Management, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia

    Christy P. Gomez

  3. School of Civil Engineering, KIIT Deemed University, Bhubaneswar, India

    Benu. G. Mohapatra

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Nihar Ranjan, J., Mohapatra, B.G., Alali, M. (2022). Approaches to Slope Stability Analysis Considering the Effects of Dilatancy and Strength Non-linearity: A Review. In: Das, B.B., Gomez, C.P., Mohapatra, B.G. (eds) Recent Developments in Sustainable Infrastructure (ICRDSI-2020)—Structure and Construction Management. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 221. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-8433-3_53

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-8433-3_53

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  • Print ISBN: 978-981-16-8432-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-16-8433-3

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