Evaluation of the long-term stability of creep-prone slopes

Conclusions 1. The computation of earth slopes in accordance with current standard documents in cases where soils behave rheologically will make it possible to evaluate their stability only for the first limiting state with the condition that the strength characteristics correspond to the ultimate long-term strength.2. In contrast to the standard method, the computational method that we have developed will make it possible to evaluate simultaneously the stability of earth slopes on the basis of the first and second limiting states; this is particularly important when structures that interest with a creep-prone slope are present.3. The time to failure of slopes, which is calculated using the long-term-strength curve, is appreciably lower as compared with that predicted from the method that we have developed, which takes into account the interrelation of the stress and strain states.Translated from Osnovaniya, Fundamenty i Mekhanika Gruntov, No. 3, pp. 23–27, May–June, 1990.