A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DIFFERENT STABILITY ANALYSIS METHODS FOR EMBANKMENT DAMS

Abstract

The limit equilibrium analysis of slope stability are widely used in design of embankment slopes, and extensive experience has demonstrated their effectiveness and reliability. Some of the limit equilibrium methods based on the technique of slices are Fellenius (1936), Bishop (1955), Janbu(1954,1972), Morgenstern and Price (1965) and Spencer (1967). The similarties and differences in these methods are largely because of the lack of uniformity in formulating the factor of safety equation, the assumption regarding inter-slices forces and the unknown limitations imposed by non-circular failure plane. A computer program for Janbu's generalized procedure of slice has been developed which can search for critical slip surface of circular as well as non-circular shape. The results obtained by Fellenius', Bishop's simplified and Janbu's method for stability analysis of downstream slopes of Ramganga & Kapur dams for end of construction and steady seepage condition have been compared......