Assessment of Embankment Factor Safety Using Two Commercially Available Programs in Slope Stability Analysis

Analysis of the static and seismic stability of natural and manmade slopes and embankments is a challenging geotechnical problem. Often, different professionals analyzing the same problem will estimate a wide variation in expected performance. The objective of this paper is to study the effect of earthquake shaking on slope stability using Geo Studio software 2007 and Plaxis 2D Program. The critical slip surface and factor of safety is obtained by using finite element, limit equilibrium, Morgenston – Price, and strength reduction and other method available in the used software. The applicability of the analysis is demonstrated by analysis various slope and embankments subjected to 0.5 g dynamic load due to earthquake shaking. For simple homogenous soil slopes, it was found that the results from these methods are generally in good agreement. This study also investigated the effect of embankment height and its slopes (geometry) on stability and liquefaction due to the earthquake. Increasing embankment height and flattering it can enhance stability and reduced liquefaction zone. Liquefaction phenomenon which has produced to severe damage all over the world was studied under earthquake record of 0.5 g. Four examples are providing to evaluation liquefaction effect and determination factor of safety as well as potential for liquefaction of soils. Variability of soil layers parameters affecting factor of safety and liquefaction have been studied for slopes.