Stability Analysis of Strain-Softening Slope Reinforced with Stabilizing Piles

Abstract

Stabilizing piles have been used extensively over the past few decades to support unstable slopes. A new simplified method is described to analyze the stability level of a strain-softening slope reinforced with stabilizing piles. An equivalent principle is proposed to account for the three-dimensional effect of the piles on the stability level of slopes. The formulation is derived on the basis of the displacement distribution assumptions of the slope by extending the simplified Bishop slice method. The parameters can be easily determined by element tests. This method is used on a real-world slope to discuss the influential factors. The results show that the slope geometry and pile layout, which includes pile spacing, pile location, and pile depth, have a significant effect on the safety factor and critical slip surface of the reinforced slope. The stability level of a strain-softening slope is dependent not only on the strength parameters but also on the stress-strain relationship of soil.