Numerical modeling of slope stability incorporating complex reinforcement solution in high-risk failure area- unusual case study

The rapid economic development of Vietnam triggers a number of challenges in all sectors including infrastructure design and execution. New development plans and lack of space in densely populated and economically valuable areas creates a need for complex engineering solutions to meet the demand. The present research is a case study investigating reengineered vast natural slope to meet all requirements for geotechnical safety such as maximum displacements and factor of safety. Complex ground conditions and significant dimensions of the slope made the entire structure very likely to cause major risk for the future development plan of the site. Due to complex conditions, the slope was divided into 4 main sections. Each section was reinforced using a combination of soil nails, ground anchors, drainage systems and micro piles, of 19m for a single pile. Due to very much limited space available new geometry of the slope was designed for inclination reaching 1:0.3. Based on numerical modelling and computation the results revealed that the maximum lateral displacements felt in a range of 37-50x10-3 m and the factor of safety was 1.56-1.65, depending on a section and analysed scenario. The computations allowed proposing combined geotechnical solutions for very much challenging sites, assuring high safety standards and fitting the entire design within a limited available area.