Evaluation on Slope Stability of Unsaturated Expansive Soil based on Strength Reduction Theory

Weishi Bai, Rongjian Li

Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, 710048, China

Abstract: In view of the difficulties existing in the analysis methods of unsaturated expansive soil slope, a feasible calculation method based on Lu Zhaojun’s unsaturated strength theory and strength reduction finite element theory is proposed in this paper. Firstly, based on Lu Zhaojun’s developing the strength of the unsaturated expansive soil strength reduction method, secondly, using FORTRAN programming realized based on Lu Zhaojun’s strength of unsaturated expansive soil strength reduction calculation program, finally, through the calculation of unsaturated expansive soil slope stability, respectively discusses three kinds of calculation method of difference, and the calculated results were compared. The results show that the strength reduction method based on Lu Zhaojun’s unsaturated expansive soil strength is consistent with the numerical calculation results of the other two strength reduction methods, providing an effective method to analyze the slope stability of unsaturated expansive soil.

Keywords:Unsaturated soil; Matric suction; Strength of unsaturated expansive soil; Strength reduction finite element method (srfem); Evaluation of slope stability