Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

---

Stability analysis of earth slopes is among the major issues raised in geotechnical engineering which has involved so many researchers in different parts of the world. When stability of an earth slope is suspected, it is necessary to take preventive measures before instability happens. The first step to maintain the stability of an earth slope is performing excavation in the slope crest or/and filling in the slope toe. This is the cheapest way (model) for stabilization of earth slopes. If the model cannot provide the required factor of safety, it is necessary to use other stabilization methods. Numerical and laboratory methods are useful for modeling earth slopes stabilization. Modeling the stability of earth slopes using numerical methods is a common practice in geotechnical engineering. Moreover, stabilization of earth slopes using piles has been practiced by many researchers by using numerical and analytical methods. Although numerical and analytical methods have special capabilities, laboratory modeling is more reliable. Hence, it is discussed in this article. Stabilization of earth slopes with reinforced concrete piles is one of the important concerns of geotechnical engineering. Application of numerical and analytical methods to stabilization of earth slopes using piles is an issue commonly discussed by various researchers. Optimal location of concrete pile for stabilization of earth slope by means of numerical and analytical methods, has been practiced by various researchers. Their efforts have led to various results raising the question of what the optimal place for installation of a pile is. It seems that no experimental studies are conducted in this regard, which is discussed in this article. Experimental studies conducted in this article have the potential to solve the problem caused by varying and sometimes contradictory results of numerical analyses performed to find the optimal pile location. In this article, an experimental analysis of a homogeneous sand earth slope is conducted. The slope is saturated through precipitation and failure after loading by installing the reinforced concrete pile in different locations. All of the experimental tests were modeled and compared using the limit equilibrium (LE) and finite element (FE) methods, which are compliant with each other. The results obtained by experimental tests show the optimal location for installing reinforced concrete pile in a homogeneous sand slope for achieving the highest factor of safety and reduce costs of stabilization. In the present article, the optimal pile location for slope stabilization is determined by conducting laboratory studies of a layer sand slope saturated through precipitation. The resultant failure mechanism leads to acceptable results that help choose the optimal location for pile installation. The slope is stabilized by repeating the test and installing the pile in the optimal location, which is the best place to install the pile. The FE method (Plaxis software) and LE method were used to confirm the laboratory tests as well.

Keywords: Earth Slope, Concrete Pile, Optimal location, Stabilization

Full-Text [PDF 3748 kb]   (5452 Downloads)    

Add your comments about this article : Your username or Email:

---