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STABILITY NUMBER METHOD

• The stability number method is also based on
the premise that resistance of a soil mass to
sliding results from cohesion and internal
SLOPE STABILITY friction of the soil along the failure surface.
• In this method the failure surface is assume to
be a circular arc.

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STABILITY NUMBER METHOD • 3 types of failure surface are possible:

• A parameter called stability number, Ns is
introduced. H
Ns 
c

1. Toe circle – the failure surface passes

through the toe.

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3. Midpoint circle – the center of the failure

2. Slope circle – the failure surface intersects surface is on a vertical line passing through the
the slope above the toe. midpoint of the slope.

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• If the value of  is zero or nearly zero, Fig.14-9

may be used to determine the type of failure
surface and the stability.
• If the value of  is 3o, the failure surface is
always a toe circle. Fig. 14-10 may be used to
determine the stability number for different
values of .

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EXAMPLES:
1. A cut 25 ft. deep is to be made in a stratum of highly
cohesive soil. Soil exploration indicated that bedrock is
located 40 ft. below the original ground surface. Find
the factor of safety against slope failure by stability
number method.

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2. The slope and soil data are shown in Figure.

Determine the factor of safety against failure
by the stability number method.

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