Soil Strength and Slope Stability

Authoritative, state-of-the-art guidance to soil strength and slope-stability analysis

Through clear, concise language and practical examples, Soil Strength and Slope Stability describes state of the art methods for evaluating soil strength, and for analysis, design and stabilization of slopes in soil. The principles oflimit equilibrium analysis, and appropriate use of computer programs are emphasized. Methods are described for checking the results of complex analyses, and for presenting results of slope stability analyses clearly. These are illustrated through many examples.

Written by two recognized experts in the field, Soil Strength and SlopeStability features:

• Case histories of landslides, embankment failures, excavation slope failures
• Principles that govern the shear strength of soils, including shear strength of municipal solid waste
• Methods for estimating and evaluating shear strengths based on back analysis of slope failures and stable slopes
• Explanations of the conditions that slopes must be designed to endure
• Detailed explanations of analysis methods for short-term and long-term stability, rapid drawdown, earthquake, and partial consolidation
• A wide range of analysis methods, methods for verifying results, and advice on presenting the results of slope stability analyses,including the importance of using multiple and/or independent methods
• Methods for repairing failed slopes and stabilizing marginally stable slopes

Visually informative with more than 250 illustrations, Soil Strength and Slope Stability is a complete and practical resource for geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists, civil engineers, geologists, environmental engineers,and students.

Duncan (civil and environmental engineering and geotechnical practice and research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State U.-Blacksburg) and Wright (soil dynamics and geotechnical engineering, U. of Texas-Austin) synthesize the current understanding of techniques and equipment for laboratory and in situ tests that have been developed over the past 35 years. Writing for student and practicing geotechnical engineers, they consider such aspects as principles of soil mechanics, shear strengths of soil and municipal solid waste, methods for analyzing slope stability, analyses for rapid drawdown, seismic slope stability, factors of safety and reliability, presenting results of stability evaluations, and slope stabilization and repair. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

J. Michael Duncan is University Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Center for Geotechnical Practice and Research (CGPR) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg.

Stephen G. Wright is Brunswick-Abernathy Regents Professor in Soil Dynamics and Geotechnical Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.