Typical limit equilibrium analyses used to determine static slope stability rely on the use of peak shear strength parameters which may overestimate the stability of a slope. This is especially possible in landfill slopes which are composed of layers of many different materials and often incorporate geosynthetic liner systems. The materials that compose these liner systems perform well in tension; however, other materials present in landfills, such as CCBs, have been shown to be very weak in tension. In this study, a strain compatibility analysis was performed for four cross-sections of the AEP Conesville Generating Station residual waste landfill for three fill conditions.
The stability of the landfill was modeled using strain compatible constitutive relationships by first performing a finite element analysis with the program SIGMA/W to determine the appropriate strain field and displacements. These values were then used in conjunction with laboratory test data to determine the strength values mobilized in each material at the corresponding strain and displacement values that were determined. The mobilized strength values then were used in the program SLOPE/W to perform the strain compatibility stability analysis.
This thesis illustrates that, in addition to providing more information about the materials present in the slopes considered, the strain compatibility method of stability analysis gives a more accurate determination of the stability of slopes than the traditional limit equilibrium method.