The main objective of this research project was investigating the possibility of a more cost-effective design of temporary slopes and retaining structures in residual soils based on the incorporation of matric suction in the analyses approach.
The components of this research project included: field and laboratory testing program, evaluation and development of predictive models, and analysis of cut slopes and sheet pile walls in excavation and considering water infiltration effect on suction.
Based on the results of the numerical analyses, a simplified approach for determining the required depth of embedment of a cantilever wall incorporating the effect of matric suction is proposed. The proposed approach is termed Suction Stability Number (SSN) and accounts for the stabilizing influence of matric suction in a similar manner to cohesion in the conventional stability number.
