Slope angles

Editor’s Note: In the June 2009 issue, Tim Stark, an engineering professor at the University of Illinois, answered a question regarding geosynthetic-lined slopes. Prof. Ed Kavazanjian’s comments offer further information on the subject.

Comment

From: Ed Kavazanjian, Arizona State University
Posted: Aug. 15, 2009

Tim Stark’s [answer] on restricting the inclination of a geosynthetic lined slope to the lowest interface friction angle of the system only applies to the stability of veneer slopes where the geometry appoaches those of an infinite slope. For instance, there are many landfills where the lowest interface friction angle of the side slope is less than the slope angle. These landfills are generally filled incrementally, in horizontal lifts subject to restrictions on lift height and breadth to maintain stability. Technically, a bowl-shaped landfill with an interface friction angle of zero could be filled in uniform horizontal lifts maintaining stability.

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