ABSTRACT
Gravitational and seepage forces tend to cause instability in natural slopes, in slopes formed by excavation and in the slopes of embankments. The most important types of slope failure are illustrated in Figure 9.1. In rotational slips the shape of the failure surface in section may be a circular arc or a non-circular curve. In general, circular slips are associated with homogeneous, isotropic soil conditions and non-circular slips with non-homogeneous conditions. Translational and compound slips occur where the form of the failure surface is influenced by the presence of an adjacent stratum of significantly different strength, most of the failure surface being likely to pass through the stratum of lower shear strength. The form of the surface would also be influenced by the presence of discontinuities such as fissures and pre-existing slips. Translational slips tend to occur where the adjacent stratum is at a relatively shallow depth below the surface of the slope, the failure surface tending to be plane and roughly parallel to the slope. Compound slips usually occur where the adjacent stratum is at greater depth, the failure surface consisting of curved and plane sections. In most cases, slope stability can be considered as a two-dimensional problem, conditions of plane strain being assumed. Types of slope failure. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429209307/b43df8c6-a58e-4416-be47-a3da8aac7534/content/fig9_1.tif"/>
