Simplified Approach to the Problem of Stability of Soil Slopes Under Horizontal Earthquake and Pore Pressure

A problem that has confronted engineers for a great number of years is that of determining the stability of soil slopes. Many factors introduce complications into stability analysis. Most embankments contain heterogeneous soils, often of several types. This and other complications usually necessitate the use of a simplified cross section. At the same time, it is often necessary to adopt simplified average soil characteristics which represent actual characteristics as best as possible. Those steps which bear on the choice of the simplified section and the simplified soil characteristics are always important in stability analysis work. These steps are independent, however, of the actual analysis. From this point on, simplified conditions only are considered, since the main object herein is to explain methods of analysis once the simplifications are made