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1.5ft
10ft
8.5ft
51
6ft
10ft
Ref: Skempton, A.W. (1945), A slip in the West Bank of the Eau Brink Cut, Journal of
Institute of Civil Engineers, Vol. 24, p.267.
Conclusion: = 0 analysis, while giving the correct factor of safety, does not yield
correct slip surface.
Ref: Cooling, L.F. and H.Q.Golder (1942), The analysis of the Failure of an Earth Dam
During Construction, Jour. Inst. Civil Engrs., London, Vol. 19, p.38.
Analysis performed on actual slip surface. Soil shear strengths on actual slip surface.
Factor of Safety Calculated = 1.05
True angle of friction, was very small.
Probably, using actual slip surface wasnt a bad assumption.
Case Record 4: Slip in the Sea Wall at Brightling sea.
Ref: Skemption and Golder .. same as in case Record 1.
Clay was compacted at natural water content which was higher than proctor optimum.
(Therefore = 0 was a reasonable assumption)
Approximate location of the slip surface was established from the field evidence
Strength of Clays from borings.
For the actual Slip surface F.O.S. = 1.51
For min. (Trial and error) F.O.S. = 1.11
Author determined that = 0 method did not give good results for the O.C. clay.
Possible reason Progressive Failure leading to Residual Factor <1
In order to bring F.O.S. down to 1
Residual Factor = 0.47
In other studies the same clay stratum has been observed to have a Residual Factor as
low as 0.2
Hence Authors conclusion:
Slope probably failed in a progressive manner.
Slip 1:
Occurred 5 days after excavation was complete
Average Cu measured along failure surface = 2000 psf
Factor of safety (for Cu = 2000) =1.8
For F.O.S. = 1.0
Cu =1120 psf
C u (reqd )
= 0.56
Cu (meas.)
Slip 2: Occurred 19 days after excavation
C u (reqd )
= 0.52
Cu (meas.)
Question: Is the method of analysis incorrect? OR Are the strength measurements
incorrect?
Observation1: Is the loading Rate fast enough for the undrained assumption to be true?
To test, perform 15min triaxial compression versus 7 day triaxial compression
31.0
31.0
17psi
9 psi
30.9
14.5psi
32.0
14 psi
Under slow loading rates; O.C. clay has dilated under shear and shear zone drew more
water in resulting in lower strength.
Observation 2:
Lab sample Intact clay
Field soil Fissured (especially excavation causes fissures to open)
In-situ test showed a further 30% reduction in strength.
(Cu)15 min 2100 psf
*
0.8
(loading rate)
(Cu)7day 1700 psf
*
0.7
(fissures)
(Cu)in-situ 1190 psf