Temporary slope stability in London Clay - back analyses of two case histories

摘要

It is extremely difficult to assess the stability of temporary slopes cut in stiff over-consolidated plastic clays, as they are brittle and prone to progressive failure. A series of finite element (FE) analyses have been undertaken to back analyse two failed temporary slopes cut in the London Clay. It has been found that actual times to failure are still difficult to predict. The previous site history, the presence of a tectonic shear zone, the initial K_0 profile and assumed pore water pressures at the excavated clay surface are important factors which influence the stand-up time of temporary slopes.