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SLOPE is a computer program for analysing the stability of slopes. The program is also applicable to earth pressure and bearing capacity problems. Optional facilities are available for the analysis and design of reinforced soil.
The program provides a choice of methods of analysis including the following:-
The various methods make different assumptions about the equilibrium distribution of forces within the slipping mass. The result of each analysis is expressed as a factor of safety. In routine slope stability problems the factor of safety is calculated with respect to the strength of the soil along the slip surface. There is an option to calculate the factor of safety with respect to surcharge loads. This option is applicable to bearing capacity problems and earth pressure calculations.
Strata Profile and Groundwater Conditions ( Top ) The ground can be described in terms of up to nine soil strata with different strength properties. In simple cases pore pressures are calculated from the position of the water table but in more complicated flow conditions (e.g. the presence of an aquifer or pore pressures due to construction), local values of pore pressure can be defined. Perched water tables and artesian pressures can be modelled by specifying additional piezometric surfaces associated with individual strata. Where detailed information about the pore pressure distribution is lacking, the pore pressures in any individual stratum can be expressed as an Ru value. For fine grained soils which sustain negative pore pressures, the maximum suction can be specified. Submerged slopes can be analysed by specifying a water table above ground level.
Surcharge Loads & Earthquake forces ( Top ) External forces (due to buildings or strut forces in excavations) can be applied to the ground surface. Earthquake forces can be modelled in a quasi-static manner by specifying horizontal and vertical acceleration factors.
Circular and non-circular slip surfaces can be analysed. A group of circular slip surfaces can be analysed by defining a rectangular grid of centres. For each centre a number of different radii can be specified. Alternatively the circles can be made to pass through a common point or touch a common tangent. Two and three part wedges can be analysed. A group of wedges can be analysed by defining a rectangular grid of wedge nodes. For each wedge node a number of different wedges can be analysed by specifying ranges of wedge angles and toe positions. General non-circular slip surfaces are specified individually by the user.
Reinforced Soil Options (SLOPE version 12R only) ( Top ) Horizontal
layers of reinforcement can be included in the soil profile. The program
is equally applicable to reinforced Slopes and reinforced soil Walls.
There is no fundamental difference in the treatment of Slopes and Walls.
The required degree of stability for each type of structure is achieved
by the selection of appropriate factors of safety in each case.
Design Mode - reinforced slope or embankment on a stable foundation ( Top ) The program
selects appropriate types, lengths and spacings of reinforcement layers
to achieve a required Factor of Safety for both internal and external
stability of the given slope profile.
In the analysis mode the
program analyses a slope containing a pre-defined layout of
reinforcement. (The layers of reinforcement were chosen either by the
user or are the result of the programs own design procedure). A wide
range of slip surfaces can be generated automatically to explore all
possible failure mechanisms and calculate the lowest factor of safety. Factor of safety of reinforced soil ( Top ) The factor of safety for a
reinforced soil slope is calculated taking into account the combined
restoring effect of reinforcement and soil strength. Soil and
reinforcement strengths may be partially factored to produce balanced
designs in accordance with code requirements. Partial factors may also
be applied to surcharge loads and soil weight. Types of reinforcement ( Top ) The program deals with three main types of reinforcement:
The program includes a data base of properties of some commonly available types of reinforcement. Automatic wedge generation ( Top ) When analysing reinforced slopes it is often more appropriate to consider wedge shaped slip surfaces rather than circular slip surfaces. The choice is up to the user, but your attention is drawn to the facility for automatic generation of two part wedges with wedge nodes at equally spaced positions along the reinforcement layers, and toe exit points at the ends of the layers. Data Input and Editing ( Top ) Data values are checked for
permissible ranges. A list of data Errors and Warnings is displayed if
unacceptable or inappropriate data combinations are detected. Data can
be checked visually at any time during data entry or editing. Units Output from the Program ( Top ) Printed output from the program consists of the following:
Graphics ( Top ) Data and results are
displayed in graphical form either on the screen or in hard copy form.
Graphical display shows:
Special Hot Keys give instant access to Help facilities, Error reporting, Data plotting (during edit) and Summary output (during analysis). Help ( Top ) Help is provided at two levels:- Press F1 at any time for context sensitive help on data entry or current activity. Press Alt+H at any time to use the Help Index. Subjects covered include advice on the selection of values of earth pressure coefficients and soil modulus. Hardware Requirements ( Top ) SLOPE can be run on any WINDOWS based computer.
Existing SLOPE users should contact GTS CADBUILD for details of upgrades to the new version.
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