Slope Reinforcement W/ Steel H-Piles
Slope Reinforcement W/ Steel H-Piles
(OP)
Is there a rational method to account for the presence of steel H-Piles along the top of a slope (or mid-slope where a multi-tiered wall system is proposed)when analysing slope stability.
RE: Slope Reinforcement W/ Steel H-Piles
Remember that the steel has to be considered for both shear and bending. Unless there is a distinct rupture surface within strong material above and below (very stiff soil or very weak rock that piles will penetrate), bending is likely to govern, and you may find that the moment capacity of the H piles doesn't make much difference at midslope, unless they are very tightly spaced. At Sardis, the concrete piles (or, more accurately, the concrete beams pounded into the ground like piles) were very heavily reinforced for moment, and tightly spaced. If the piles are at the top of a steep slope, the slope may just want to pull away from them, rather than being stabilized by them. Whether they are worth pursuing all depends on slope geometry and materials.
Bon chance!
DRG