Slope stability analysis for undrained loading conditions

Abstract The current state of art for limit equilibrium analysis of slope stability problems lacks a satisfactory procedure for stability evaluation under general, rapid (undrained) loading conditions. Some procedures are available for the analysis of rapid drawdown, but these suffer from several shortcomings and, furthermore, are not applicable to other types of rapid loading. An approach is presented which overcomes these limitations. The approach integrates four components‐establishment of soil behaviour on the basis of laboratory testing, estimation of steady‐state conditions in the slope using a boundary value analysis, estimation of distribution of undrained strength in the slope using undrained stress paths, and identification of the critical slip surface followed by calculation of its factor of safety. The approach is illustrated through its application to the stability analysis of an earth dam under rapid drawdown and earthquake conditions.