[pt] São abordados alguns aspectos relativos à execução de análises probabilísticas em projetos de geotecnia. Apresenta-se um resumo dos conceitos de probabilidade e estatística, utilizados ao longo do trabalho. Descreve-se uma metodologia para a obtenção dos dados necessários à análise probabilística, incluindo a quantidade e a localização de amostras, o cálculo das médias e variâncias dos parâmetros do solo e a quantificação das incertezas relativas a estes valores. Apresenta-se o procedimento de execução dos três métodos probabilísticos mais utilizados em geotecnia com ênfase especial para o Método do Segundo Momento de Primeira Ordem. São executadas análises probabilísticas considerando, separadamente, variações de altura e inclinação de um talude de mineração sob condições drenadas. Avalia-se também a aplicação da metodologia de análise probabilística em situações não-drenadas, através da análise da estabilidade de um quebra-mar sobre argila mole. / [en] Some aspects about probabilistic analysis of stability in geotechnical engineering are studied in this thesis. A summary about basic concepts of probability and statistics used along this work is presented. The methodology for obtaining the data needed for probabilistic analysis is described, including quantity and localization of samples, computation of mean and variance of soil properties and determination of uncertainties about these values. The procedures of three probabilistic methods which are useful in geotechnics are presented, with special emphasis on the first order second moment method (FOSM). Probabilistic analysis are made considering independent changes of height and inclination of a mine slope under drained conditions. The application of probabilistic analysis of a breakwater above a soft clay deposit under undrained conditions is also presented. / [es] Se abordan algunos aspectos relativos a la ejecución de análisis probabilístico en proyectos de geotecnia. Se presenta un resumen de los conceptos de probabilidades y estadísticas, utilizados a lo largo del trabajo. Se describe una metodología para la obtención de los datos necesarios para el análisis probabilístico, incluyendo la cantidad y la localización de las muestras, el cálculo de las medias y variancias de los parámetros del suelo y la cuantificación de los errores relativos a estos valores. Se presenta el procedimientode ejecución de los tres métodos probabilísticos más utilizados en geotecnia con énfasis especial para el Método del Segundo Momento de Primer Orden. Se realizan análisis probabilísticos considerando, separadamente, variaciones de altura e inclinación de un talud de mineración en condiciones drenadas. También se evalúa la aplicación de la metodología de análisis probabilística en situaciones no-drenadas, a través de el análisis de la estabilidad de un quebra olas sobre arcilla blanda.

Oil shale industry in Estonia is looking at other mining technologies as alternative to strip mining and room and pillar mining methods. One such alternative to the room and pillar method is the punch-longwall mining method. Enefit Kaevandused AS, one of the major oil shale companies in Estonia, plans to employ this technology in exploiting some of its resources in the near future. This thesis examines the different stability problems related to the planned punch-longwall mining project in Narva oil shale mine. Determining optimal chain pillar dimensions and stability of the punch-longwall highwall slope are the main objectives of this project. Rock mechanical analyses have been done and recommendations are made based on the rock mechanical aspect of the mining process. Taavi Lõhmuste is responsible for the chain pillar stability analysis and Ott Oisalu for the punch-longwall highwall slope stability analysis. It is essential to understand the geology of a certain area in order to make accurate stability assessments. Because of the previously stated requirements, the geology of Estonian oil shale deposit is examined in the first part of the thesis in order to determine the geological and rock mechanical conditions to set the foundation for further analyses. In conclusion, for the part of the highwall slope, a properly designed barrier pillar plays a key role in the stability of the slope. After reviewing and analyzing the results of both highwall slope numerical models, it can be stated that the minimum length for the barrier pillar that still will yield in stable highwall slope is 65 meters. For the part of the chain pillars, in conclusion, it can be determined that optimal chain pillar dimensions that should be suitable, from the stability standpoint, are 6x6 meters for 3-entry system and 7x7 meters for 2-entry system (length x width).

Les séismes sont connus comme des catastrophes naturelles destructrices et meurtrières. Particulièrement dans les régions montagneuses, les effets des séismes sont encore beaucoup plus aggravés à cause des effets de site topographiques. La présence d'une pente est à l'origine d'une amplification du signal sismique notamment dans le voisinage de la crête. De nombreux séismes anciens tels que le séisme de Lambesc (1909, Ms=6.2) qui a conduit à la destruction du village de Rognes (Bouches-du-Rhône, France), ou plus récemment le séisme d'Athènes en Grèce (1999, Ms=5.9) qui a endommagé la ville d'Adames ainsi que les séismes de Chichi à Taiwan (1999, Mw=7.6), du Salvador (2001, Mw=7.6) et du Sichuan (2008, Mw=7.9) responsables de très nombreux glissements de terrain particulièrement catastrophiques sont des exemples représentatifs. Les investigations post-sismiques ont montré une contribution importante des effets de site topographiques au bilan des dommages humains et matériels. Dans le but d'améliorer les connaissances de ce phénomène, de nombreuses simulations numériques ont été réalisées sur des modèles de versant isolés en utilisant le logiciel FLAC 2D (Itasca). Les résultats obtenus ont été analysés en considérant plusieurs critères comme les facteurs d'amplification, les surfaces et les dimensions des zones d'amplification ainsi que la distribution spatiale de ces zones dans le massif de versant. Des études paramétriques ont permis de mettre en évidence le rôle principal de la fréquence adimensionnelle, rapport de la hauteur du versant à la longueur d'onde du signal sismique, dans l'évaluation des effets de site topographiques. Ces résultats montrent également que la pente est le deuxième paramètre important, suivie du coefficient de Poisson et de la géométrie de la crête et du pied de la pente.Ces résultats numériques ont également permis de définir des relations empiriques, nommées ANS, qui permettent d'estimer les effets de site topographiques selon les différents critères d'interprétation. Ces formules sont adaptées pour les signaux sismiques avec une bande de fréquences prédominantes relativement étroite. Pour les autres cas, la Méthode de Décomposition des ondes (MD) a été développé dans ce travail. Cette méthode est basée sur la décomposition du signal complexe multi-fréquentiel en plusieurs ondes mono-fréquentielles par transformée de Fourier. L'effet du signal complexe est alors évalué en faisant une combinaison des effets individuels de chaque onde élémentaire. Ces approches développées dans ce travail (ANS et MD) permettent d'évaluer les effets de site topographiques, en tenant compte de plusieurs paramètres géomorphologiques et sismiques du massif de versant ainsi que du contenu fréquentiel du signal sismique, sans avoir recours à des simulations numériques. / Earthquakes are known as destructive and murderous natural catastrophe. Particularly in the mountainous regions, the effects of earthquakes are still much aggravated due to the topographic site effects. The presence of a slope causes an amplification of the seismic signal, particularly in the vicinity of the crest. Numerous earthquakes in the past such as the 1909 Lambesc earthquake (Ms=6.2) which led to the destruction of the Rognes village (Bouches-du-Rhône, France), or more recently the 1999 Athens, Greece earthquake (Ms=5.9) which damaged the Adames city as well as the 1999 Chichi, Taiwan earthquake (MW=7.6), the 2001 El Salvador earthquake (MW=7.6) and the 2008 Sichuan earthquake (MW=7.9) responsible for numerous catastrophic landslides are representative examples. Post-seismic investigations demonstrated a significant contribution of topographic site effects on the human and material damage assessment.In order to improve the knowledge of this phenomenon, numerous numerical simulations were performed on the step-like slope models by using the FLAC 2D software (Itasca). The obtained results were analyzed by considering various criteria such as amplification factors, dimensions and area of amplification zones as well as spatial distribution of these zones inside the slope mass. The parametric analyses allow underlining the principal role of the dimensionless frequency, ratio of the slope height to the wavelength of the seismic signal, in the evaluation of topographic site effects. These results also show that the slope angle is the second important parameter, followed by the Poisson's ratio and the geometry of the crest and of the toe of slope.These numerical results allow pointing out empirical equations, called ANS, which can be used to estimate the topographic site effects according to different interpretation criteria. These formulas are suitable for seismic signals with a relatively narrow band of predominant frequencies. For other cases, the method concerning decomposition of seismic incident wave (MD) was developed in this work. This method is based on the decomposition of the complex multi-frequency seismic signal into multiple mono-frequency waves by using Fourier transform. The effect of the complex signal is then evaluated through a combination of the effects of elementary waves. The approaches developed in this work (ANS and MD) allow evaluating the topographic site effects, by taking into account geomorphologic and seismic parameters of the slope as well as the frequency content of the seismic signal, without recourse to numerical simulations.

In this thesis, the failures that occurred during the construction of the Jamuna Bridge Abutment in Bangladesh have been investigated. In particular, the influence of heterogeneity on slope stability has been studied using statistical methods, random field theory and the finite element method. The research is divided into three main parts: the statistical characterization of the Jamuna River Sand, based on an extensive in-situ and laboratory database available for the site; calibration of the laboratory data against a double-hardening elastoplastic soil model; and stochastic finite element slope stability analyses, using a Monte Carlo simulation, to analyse the slope failures accounting for heterogeneity. The sand state has been characterised in terms of state parameter, a meaningful quantity which can fully represent the mechanical behaviour of the soil. It was found that the site consists of predominantly loose to mildly dilative material and is very variable. Also, a Normal distribution was found to best represent the state parameter and a Lognormal distribution was found to best represent the tip resistance.The calibration of the constitutive model parameters was found to be challenging, as alternative approaches had to be adopted due to lack of appropriate test results available for the site. Single-variate random fields of state parameter were then linked to the constitutive model parameters based on the relationships found between them, and a parametric study of the abutment was then carried out by linking finite elements and random field theory within a Monte Carlo framework.It was found that, as the degree of anisotropy of the heterogeneity increases, the range of structural responses increases as well. For the isotropic cases, the range of responses was relatively smaller and tended to result in more localised failures. For the anisotropic cases, it was found that there are two different types of deformation mechanism. It was also found that, as the vertical scale of fluctuation becomes bigger, the range of possible structural responses increases and failure is more likely. Finally, it was found that the failed zones observed during the excavation of the West Guide Bund of the Jamuna Bridge Abutment could be closely predicted if heterogeneity was considered in the finite element analyses. In particular, it was found that, for such a natural deposit, a large degree of anisotropy (in the range of 20) could account for the deformation mechanisms observed on site.

[pt] Na abordagem determinística compara-se o método do equilíbrio limite com o método dos elementos finitos na análise 2D da estabilidade de taludes em solo, determinando-se o valor do fator de segurança para vários exemplos de aplicação. No método dos elementos finitos quantifica-se a região da potencial superfície de ruptura que se comporta sob extensão, analisando-se a ocorrência de anisotropia de resistência ao longo da potencial superfície de deslizamento para situações envolvendo diferentes tipos de solo, ângulos de inclinação do talude e sequências de escavação. Conclui-se que o efeito da anisotropia é pouco significativo quando o ângulo de atrito do solo exceder a 10 graus. Por outro lado, devido à crescente aplicação da abordagem probabilística na prática da engenharia geotécnica, foram realizadas análises de confiabilidade de taludes empregando os métodos de Monte Carlo, do hipercubo latino e o método das estimativas pontuais alternativas, comparando-se os diferentes resultados obtidos e discutindo as principais vantagens da aplicação destes métodos. / [en] In the deterministic approach the limit equilibrium method and the finite element method are compared for 2D analysis of soil slope stability, calculating the value of the safety factor in several numerical examples. In the finite element method the region of soil under strain extension is determined and the occurrence of strength anisotropy is investigated along the potential sliding surface for situations involving different types of soil, angles of slope inclination and excavation sequences. It is concluded that the effect of the anisotropy is negligible when the angle of friction is higher than 10 degress. Moreover, due to the increasing application of the probabilistic approach in the practice of geotechnical engineering, some reliability analyses were carried out using the Monte Carlo method, the Latin hypercube method and the method of alternative point estimates, comparing their different outputs and discussing the main advantages of their application in the analysis of soil slope stability problems.

Recent tailings dam failures around the world have highlighted the real risk posed by undrained slope failures. Undrained failures are fundamentally different to drained failures in the sense that different mechanisms are involved (i.e. a slope may be stable against drained failure but unstable against undrained failure). Popular methods to assess the stability of slopes against undrained failure involve the use of limit equilibrium analyses with both drained and undrained strengths assigned in the same analysis. A potential shortcoming of these methods is that no consideration is given to strain compatibility. In this study, a limit equilibrium based method where strain compatibility is maintained on the failure surface was developed. The method, referred to as the strain mobilisation method, considers a Mohr circle of stress at failure to determine the shear strength mobilised on the failure plane for use in the stability analysis as a function of the deviator stress imposed on the triaxial test result. The mobilisation of stress on a failure plane with strain was determined based on the stress-strain relationships observed during triaxial tests. A Factor of Safety (FoS) was used to express the stability of the slope as a function of the mobilised strain and the calculated FoS results obtained using the proposed method were compared to calculated FoS results using traditional methods. This was done for three tailings materials (gold, iron and platinum) for three specific hypothetical slopes. As an additional check, the proposed method was tested on Nerlerk sand, a well-known sand showing strain-softening behaviour during undrained shearing. It was found that, in general, as mobilised strain is increased, the FoS calculated using the proposed method converges to that of traditional methods so that there was no significant difference in calculated FoS between the current methods and the proposed method that does consider strain compatibility. This indicates that the proposed method provides FoS values comparable to those calculated using currently accepted methods where the failure surface passes predominantly through a single material type. For such a case, there does not appear to be a need to consider limit equilibrium methods where strain compatibility is maintained. The proposed method provides an indication of the amount of strain that may be expected to mobilise to provide the FoS. Given that this amount of strain is not excessive, the current methods which do not consider strain compatibility perform satisfactorily and can continue to be used / Dissertation (MEng (Civil Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Civil Engineering / MEng (Civil Engineering) / Unrestricted

The topic of this Master`s thesis is to design stabilization of road embankment, which is between Brno-Chrlice and Brno-Holásky. Aim of this thesis is finding acceptable solution of problem including finding cause of fault and describing other possible options. Solution will be design in GEO5. Thesis is completed with procedure in pile installation and drawing documentation.

The construction of motorways in Slovakia faces a series of geotechnical problems due to the mountainous relief. One of these problems is also discussed in this diploma thesis, where the motorway route is led through a landslide area. The aim of the thesis is to compare two different proposals of the D1 motorway in part of Hubova - Ivachnova section. The theoretical part deals with the issue of slope movements in connection with transport line constructions. In the practical part, the proposals for specific solutions of the high embankment route variant and variant with the bridge are discussed. Both variants are designed in the Plaxis numeric program. Subsequent comparison and evaluation of variants is performed in relation to the degree of stability, deformation, structural stress and construction costs.

The thesis called Securing of Deep Cut in Slide Area focuses on the basic analysis of the problems connected to landslides and securing of the slopes. It also presents a solution of a certain problem, where the slope stability, potencional landslide launchers and subsequent remediaton are discussed.

The thesis deals with slope stability of a landslide "U Čtrnácti pomocníků", which is located in the north-eastern part of the city Semily in the Liberec district. The thesis is divided into theoretical and practical part. The theoretical part was carried out literature search on the issue and the natural conditions around the wider area of interest. The practical part consists of individual sections within which the research were conducted archival documentation, mapping areas of interest, own technical work, sampling and geophysical measurements and laboratory work and stability calculations. Also the engineering geological model of the landslide was created. The results of the practical part are used as the basis for the final engineering geological evaluation of this area.