Objective:

To assess the stability of a cut slope in glacial till in the long and short term.

Question 2:
A deep cut slope in glacial till has been constructed as part of a new high speed railway
alignment. The slope is 1 in 2.75 (or 2.75:1 as a horizontal:vertical ratio) and 45 m high.
The soil parameters used are as follows:

Group 1: '= 37.5, c'=16.8kPa, =21.8kN/m3, ru = 0.4.

(a) An undrained analysis of this slope using Taylors Charts yielded a factor of safety
of 1.6 for the short term stability of the slope. Backcalculate the undrained shear
strength (cu) of the soil. How might this c u have been calculated at the site
investigation stage?
(b) Based on the effective stress parameters calculate the long term factor of safety
of this slope using Bishop and Morgernsterns charts.
(c) Now calculate the long term factor of safety using Oasys Slope and Bishops
variably inclined interface method. You will need to estimate the centre of the slip
circle. The Fellanius construction for homogeneous cohesive soils can be used
as it is applicable in this case.
(d) Are these factors of safety adequate to suggest that the slope will be stable in the
short and term term? What other considerations are important in ensuring that
the slope remains stable over its lifespan? Discuss possible signs of instability
that one could observe on a slope like this and how these instabilities could be
resolved.

Hand in Date 17 February 2017