WEDGE STABILITY ANALYSIS CONSIDERING DILATANCY OF DISCONTINUITIES

Abstract

A method for the calculation of the factor of safety by using the limit equilibrium method and considering the dilatancy of discontinuities on which the wedge rests is addressed. The direction of shear force on each discontinuity plane is determined by considering the dilative movement along the discontinuous plane. The variation of factor of safety with a dilative coefficient is also clarified.