Analysis of Slope Stability of Canals' Embankments under Traffic Load

Abstract

The stresses caused by the traffic load on the canal embankments were investigated. Conventional methods of slope stability provide a constant value of safety factor for the slope, providing no information of slope displacements and possible variations of safety margins along the potential failure surface. The design model admits the idea of a homogeneous, isotropic, continuous and linear space that can be deformed. (Plaxis 2D) finite element program was applied to analyze the slope stability of canals outer curve under traffic load. In this study four different conditions were tested; Condition No 1: Dry condition, when there is no ground water in embankment and canal is running at full supply level; Condition No 2: Dry condition, when there is no ground water in embankment and canal is running at lowest water level; Condition No 3: Wet condition, at fully ground water level in embankment and canal is running at full supply level; and Condition No 4: Wet condition, at full supply ground water level in embankment and canal is running at lowest water level. The embankment material tested for in-situ properties to clay and sand. And additional traffic load above embankment is considered to estimate the worst case.