Finite Element Analysis of Road Cut Slopes using Hoek & Brown Failure Criterion

The failure of cut slopes along highways can be disastrous, especially along the hills. The slope collapses can lead to huge economic losses as well as puts human life in grave danger. The state highway�72, co nnecting the Poladpur town to Mahabaleshwar, is infested with problem of slope instability. The SH�72 remains close d during the monsoon season. For the first time a study has been carried to assess the health of cut slopes along the highway. A finite element code has been used for seven chosen road sections. The results throw light on the stability of slopes during both dry and saturated conditions. n strength when they encounter water. The area having a high rainfall of 1121 mm per year, witness a number of slopes failures along the road cuts during the monsoon leading to the temporary closure of the highway. This incessant menace of slopes failures along the road cut puts the lives and properties of travellers in jeopardy. So far, no study on slope stability has been done in this area and hence the present study aims at the finite element method (FEM) analysis of these cut slopes along the 17.4 Km vulnerable tract. The study has been conducted for both the dry and saturated conditions to assess its more critical stability. Seven locationswere chosen for the FEM safety analysis with their distinct geometry and material composition based on field observation and record. The study employs Geological Strength Index (GSI) and Hoek and Brown failure criterion for the estimation of few input parameters for the FEM analysis (Hoek, 2000; Hoek et al., 2002). The analysis divulges information on the deformational mechanics of the cut slopes as well as the effect of water ingress on the material strength and the overall slope stability.