Slope Stability

Course duration: 2 Days

Cost: £475 + VAT

Slope instability presents a constant challenge to many civil engineering projects. Failure may occur over a wide time frame ranging from temporary works such as excavations through to the final construction, involving natural slopes, cut slopes and earthworks operations. Damage, delay and financial consequences can be considerable from movement, failure and serviceability.

Delivered over two days, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject of slope stability, from initial classification through assessment and analysis to remediation. It provides the delegate with the knowledge, strategy and capability to inspect, understand and assess slope instability. The course covers both the theory and practice of modern slope engineering.

The first day considers the background to slope movements, simple classification systems and the fundamental soil mechanics that control stability. The key parameters are highlighted and discussed. The principles and assumptions of the more popular methods of analysis are introduced together with a pragmatic guide for assessing the competence of analysis software. Specific problems covered, include natural and cut slopes, earthworks and fills.

The second day focuses on the practical approach to slope stability assessment and remediation. The investigation of failed slopes is considered within a methodical, rigorous and questioning framework. Remedial options to arrest or prevent movement are detailed together with a section on instrumentation and monitoring. Techniques for the back analysis of slopes are covered and the application of stability calculations for rapid assessment explored. Finally, a section concerning risk analysis of the actions and inactions is delivered including evaluation of remedial measures.

The course is highly informative and interactive. It includes considerable reference to case histories .

The tutor is a chartered Civil Engineer, fellow of the Geological Society and an internationally recognised expert in slope stability and geotechnical engineering. He has consulted extensively, acting as expert witness on several occasions and made a number of award winning technical contributions to slope stability engineering through published papers, proceedings, articles and books.

Objectives

Completion of this course should enable the delegate to:

Recognise the nature and occurrence of slope movements and instability.
Identify the key geotechnical parameters that govern stability.
Be aware of the availability, application and limitations of commercial analysis software.
Develop a basic methodology for the planning and implementation of slope assessment.
Have an appreciation of the most common remedial measures.
Understand the key approaches to back analysis of failed or remediated slopes.
Undertake risk analysis and evaluation of remedial measures.

Intended for

All those involved in the design, analysis or construction of civil engineering projects where the existence, creation or alteration of slope features may occur. Civil, geotechnical and geological engineers, infrastructure and asset engineers and managers, from graduate through to senior level will benefit from attendance.

Outline Programme

Day 1: Theory

Classification Of Slope Movements – a brief guide to terminology.
Shear Strengths, Effective Stresses, Pore Water Pressures – a revision session. How the shear strength of soil varies and why: what shear strength governs different aspects of behaviour.
Water, Water Pressures, and Slope Instability
Slope Stability Analysis Principles – based around limit equilibrium and some of the more popular methods
Using Standard Software I – a check list of things to look out for
Specific Problems in: Fills and Earthworks; Cut Slopes; Natural Slopes.

Day 2: Practice

Investigation Of Failed Slopes
Remedial Works For Slope Stabilization
Back Analysis
Rapid Design Assessments From Slope Stability Calculation Results – Using Standard Software II
Risk Analysis, and evaluation of remedial measures.