LESSON 04

SLOPE STABILITY
ANALYSIS

References:
Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition
Basic Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering, Besavilla
Prepared by: Engr Gine G. coursehero.com
 UNRESTRAINED SLOPE is an exposed ground surface that stands at an
angle with the horizontal.
Civil engineers often are expected to make calculations to check the safety
of natural slopes, slopes of excavations and compacted embankments. This
check involves determining the shear stress developed along the most likely
rupture surface and comparing it with the shear stress developed along the
most likely rupture surface and comparing it with the shear strength of soil.
The process is called slope STABILITY ANALYSIS. The most likely rupture
surface is the critical surface that has the minimum factor of safety. Slope
stability refers to the condition of inclined soil or rock slopes to withstand or
undergo movement. Slope stability is ultimately determined by two factors:
the angle of the slope and the strength of the materials on it.
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
MODES OF SLOPE FAILURE:
Cruden and Varnes (1996) classified the slope
failures into the following:
1.Fall
2.Topple
3.Slide
4.Spread
5.Flow
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
 MODES OF SLOPE FAILURE:
FALL
➢ This is the detachment
of soil and/or rock
fragments that fall down
a slope

FALL (landslide)

[Image source: docsity.com]

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

 MODES OF SLOPE FAILURE:
TOPPLE [Image source: docsity.com]

➢ This is a forward rotation

of soil and/or rock mass
about an axis below the
center of gravity of mass
being displaced

Slope failure by toppling

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

 MODES OF SLOPE FAILURE:
SLIDE
➢ This is the downward
movement of a soil mass
occurring on a surface translational
of rupture [Image source: docsity.com]

Slope failure by sliding

rotational
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
 MODES OF SLOPE FAILURE: [Image source: docsity.com]

SPREAD
➢ This is a form of slide
by translation. It
occurs by “sudden
movement of water-
bearing seams of Slope failure by spreading

sands or silts overlain

by clays or loaded by
fills”
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
 MODES OF SLOPE FAILURE:
FLOW
➢ This is a downward
movement of soil mass
similar to a viscous fluid.

Slope failure by flowing

[Image source: docsity.com]

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

 CAUSES OF SLOPE FAILURE
External Factors:
a) Loss of the toe of the slope by water removal
b) Deformation of the slope foundation
c) Overloads and seepage of water on the crest of the slope
d) Lack of drainage system inside the slope
e) Induced vibrations
f) Seismic events (earthquake)

Internal factors:
a) An increase of the water table and the pore pressure
b) Loss of shear strength for the soil
c) Liquefaction Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
 TYPES OF SLOPE/S
INFINITE SLOPES
A constant slope of infinite extent.
Ex. Slope of the face of the mountain

FINITE SLOPES
Slopes that are limited in extent.

Ex. Slopes of embankments, Earth Dams

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
 FACTOR OF SAFETY
Where:
𝚻𝐟 Fs = factor of safety with respect to strength
𝐅𝐬 = Tf = average shear strength of the soil
𝐓𝐝 Td = average shear stress developed along the potential failure surface

The shear strength of a soil consists of two components, cohesion and friction and may
be written as:
Where:
𝚻𝐟 = 𝐜 + 𝛔𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛟 c = cohesion
Φ = angle of friction
σ = normal stress on the potential failure surface
𝚻𝐝 = 𝐜𝐝 + 𝛔 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛟𝐝 cd = cohesion develop along potential failure surface
Φd = angle of friction develop along potential failure surface

𝐜 + 𝛔 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛟
𝐅𝐬 =
𝐜𝐝 + 𝛔 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛟𝐝
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
 FACTOR OF SAFETY
Another aspect of the factor of safety:
The factor of safety with respect to cohesion (Fc)
The factor of safety with respect to friction (Fϕ)
𝐜 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝛟
𝐅𝐜 = 𝐅𝛟 =
𝐜𝐝 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝛟𝐝

When Fc = Fϕ then: 𝐜 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝛟

=
𝐜𝐝 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛟𝐝

𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐬 = 𝐅𝐜 = 𝐅𝛟

When Fs = 1 , the slope is in state of impending failure. Generally a value

of 1.5 for the factor of safety with respect to strength is acceptable for
the design of stable slope Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
INFINITE SLOPES
ANALYSIS
 STABILITY OF INFINITE SLOPES
❖When NO PORE WATER PRESSURE is found on the soil
𝐜′ 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝚽′ β
𝐅. 𝐒. = +
𝛅𝐇𝐜𝐨𝐬²𝛃𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛃 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛃

δ
For granular soils, c = 0 c’
ϕ’

𝐭𝐚𝐧𝚽′

𝐇
𝐅. 𝐒. =
𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛃

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

 STABILITY OF INFINITE SLOPES
with Steady State Seepage
𝐜 𝛅𝐬𝐚𝐭 − 𝛅𝐰 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝚽
𝐅. 𝐒. = + β
𝛅𝐬𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐜𝐨𝐬²𝛃𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛃 𝛅𝐬𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛃

❖ Granular Soil (Sand)

δsat − δw tanΦ H
F. S. = 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐄
δsat tanβ

Hδw tanΦ
F. S. = 1 − 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐄
δsat H tanβ

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

 MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF SLOPE for
which Critical Equilibrium occurs
If a soil possesses cohesion and
friction, the depth of the plane along
which critical equilibrium occurs
may be determined by substituting
𝐅𝐬 = 𝟏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇 = 𝐇𝐜𝐫

𝐜
𝐇𝐜𝐫 =
𝛅 𝐜𝐨𝐬²𝛃 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛃 − 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝚽

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING A-01:
For the infinite slope shown (consider that there is no seepage through the soil),
a) Determine factor of safety against sliding along the soil-rock interface
b) Determine the height, H, that will give a factor of safety (Fs) of 2 against
sliding along the soil-rock interface.
SOLUTION: 𝐜′ 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝚽′
𝐅. 𝐒. = +
𝛅𝐇𝐜𝐨𝐬²𝛃𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛃 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛃
β = 25 º 200 tan15
F. S. = +
(100)(8)cos²(25)tan(25) tan25
δ = 100 pcf
c’ = 200 psf 𝐅. 𝐒. = 𝟏. 𝟐𝟑
ϕ’ = 15 º
𝐜′ 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝚽′
𝐇 = 𝟖 𝐟𝐭

𝐅. 𝐒. = +
𝛅𝐇𝐜𝐨𝐬²𝛃𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛃 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛃

200 tan15
2= + 𝐇 = 𝟑. 𝟔𝟔 𝐟𝐭
(100)(H)cos²(25)tan(25) tan25
Problem Reference: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING A-02:
For the infinite slope shown (consider that β = 25 º
there is seepage through the soil that
coincides with the ground surface, determine δ = 100 pcf
the factor of safety against sliding for c’ = 200 psf
H = 3.66 ft and δsat = 118 lb/ft3 ϕ’ = 15 º

SOLUTION:
𝐇
𝐜′ 𝛅 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝚽′
𝐅. 𝐒. = +
𝛅𝐇𝐜𝐨𝐬²𝛃𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛃 𝛅𝐬𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛃

200 (118 − 62.4) tan15

F. S. = +
(118)(3.66)cos²(25)tan(25) 118 tan25

𝐅. 𝐒. = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟖
Problem Reference: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING A-03: β = 21 º
An infinite slope of granular soil is shown in the figure
with the given properties;
a) Find the factor of safety if no seepage will occur;
b) Determine the factor of safety if slope is subjected to
partial seepage parallel to the slope with water at a
depth of 4m above the rock.
c) Determine the factor of safety if subjected to full 𝟔𝐦
seepage parallel to the slope;
SOLUTION:
(a) F.S. if no seepage
tanΦ tan32
F.S. = =
tanβ tan21 F.S. = 1.628
(b) F.S. if partial seepage
Hδw tanΦ 4(9.81) tan32
F.S. = 1−
δsat H tanβ
= 1−
18 (6) tan21 F.S. = 0.593
(c) F.S. if full seepage

F.S. =
δsat−δw tanΦ
=
18−9.81 tan32 F.S. = 0.741
δsat tanβ 18 tan21 Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING A-04: β = 22 º
The figure shows an infinite slope with its properties;
a. If there is seepage through the soil and the ground
water table coincides with the ground surface;
determine the factor of safety against sliding along
plane AB if H=4m.
b. If there is no seepage, determine its factor of safety H
against sliding along the rock surface interface.
c. Determine the critical height of slope

SOLUTION:

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

FINITE SLOPES ANALYSIS
Analysis of Finite Slopes
with Plane Failure
Surfaces (Culmann's
Method)
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
 Analysis of Finite Slopes with Plane Failure
Surfaces (CULMANN’S METHOD)
➢ Culmann’s analysis is based on
the assumption that the failure of
a slope occurs along a plane
when the average shearing
stress tending to cause the slip
is more than the shear strength
of the soil.
➢ Also, the most critical plane is
the one that has a minimum ratio
of the average shearing stress
that tends to cause failure to the
shear strength of the soil.
Prepared by: Engr Gine G. Image Source: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition
 Analysis of Finite Slopes with
Plane Failure Surfaces
(CULMANN’S METHOD)

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝟏 + 𝐅𝟐
𝐅. 𝐒. = =
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝/𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝟐

F1 (frictional force) = 𝝁𝑾𝟏

F2 (additional resisting force due to cohesion) = 𝒄𝒅

W1 (normal component of weight) = 𝑾𝒄𝒐𝒔𝚹
W2 (component of weight that contributes to sliding) = 𝑾𝒔𝒊𝒏𝚹

𝐱𝐇
where: 𝐖= 𝛅𝐬
𝟐

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

 Analysis of Finite Slopes with Plane Failure
Surfaces (CULMANN’S METHOD)
When Fc = FS = FΦ
c c 𝐜
If F𝑐 = and FS = 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐜𝐝 =
c𝑑 c𝑑 𝐅𝐒

tan ϕ tan ϕ 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛟

If 𝐹𝜙 = and 𝐹𝑆 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝛟𝐝 =
tanϕd tanϕd 𝐅𝐒

𝛅𝐬𝐇 𝟏 − 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛃 − 𝚽𝐝 cu = undrained shear strength

𝐜𝐝 = δs = unit weight of soil
𝟒 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝛃 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝚽𝐝 n = stability number
Prepared by: Engr Gine G. Hcr = critical height of slope
 MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF SLOPE for
which Critical Equilibrium occurs
𝟒𝐜 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝛃 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝚽
𝐇𝐜𝐫 =
𝛅𝐬 𝟏 − 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛃 − 𝚽

𝟒𝐜𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝛃𝐜𝐨𝐬𝚽
𝐇𝐨 =
𝛅𝐬 𝟏 − 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝛃 − 𝚽𝐝

H
β θ
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
 STABILITY NUMBER
STABILITY NUMBER (n) is a dimensionless parameter used to assess the
stability of a soil slope. It relates the forces driving potential slope failure
(such as gravity) to the soil’s ability to resist failure (shear strength).

𝐂𝐝 𝟏 𝛅𝐬𝐇
𝐧= = 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫
𝛅𝐬𝐇 𝐧 𝐂𝐝

The stability number is often used in conjunction with charts (like the Taylor
stability charts) to determine the critical height of a slope for various soil
conditions. It helps engineers evaluate whether a slope is stable or needs
reinforcement based on its geometry and the soil properties.
A lower stability number suggests a more stable slope, while a higher value
indicates that the slope is more likely to fail.
For a slope to be safe, the calculated stability number should be less than
the critical stability number obtained from stability charts or empirical
relationships. Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING B-01:
For the finite slope shown, assume that the slope failure would occur
along a plane (Culmann’s assumption). Determine the height of slope
for critical equilibrium.
B C

δs = 16.5 KN/m³
ϕ = 14º
Hcr C = 28 KN/m²
Critical equilibrium (max. cond.)
FS = 1
A β = 58º

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING B-02:
For the finite slope shown, Determine the height of slop, H, that will
have a factor of safety of 2.5 against sliding. Assume critical sliding
surface isa a plane.
B C

δs = 16.5 KN/m³
ϕ = 14º
H C = 28 KN/m²
FS = 2.5

A β = 58º

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING B-03:
A cut slope is to be made as shown. The unit weight of soil is 18KN/m³ and the
angle of internal friction is 22º. The soil has cohesion of 30 KN/m². The cut slope
makes an angle of 30º with the horizontal and the height is 12 m. If the failure
plane is 15º from horizontal. Determine
a) Frictional force along the failure plane
b) Cohesive force along the failure plane
c) Factor of safety against sliding
B 24 m C

12 m

15º
A 30º

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING B-04:
A cut slope consist of soil materials that has a unit weight of 17.3
KN/m³ cohesion of 12 KN/m² and angle of internal friction of 10º.
a.Determine the height of slope for critical equilibrium.
b.Determine the stability number
c.Determine the factor of safety against sliding if BC is equal to 4.8
meter.
B 4.8 m C

Hcr

θ
A 50º

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

 FINITE SLOPES ANALYSIS
Analysis of Finite Slopes
with Circular Failure
Surface —General

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

Analysis of Finite Slopes SLOPE FAILURE

with Circular Failure

Surfaces—General
➢ When the failure occurs in such a way
that the surface of sliding intersects
the slope at or above its toe, it is
called a slope failure. The failure
circle is referred to as a toe circle if it Slope Failure with Shallow Slope Slope Failure with
Toe Circle failure Slope Circle
passes through the toe of the slope
and as a slope circle if it passes Base Failure
above the toe of the slope. Under
certain circumstances, a shallow
slope failure can occur.
➢ When the failure occurs in such a way that the
surface of sliding passes at some distance below
the toe of the slope, it is called a base failure. The
failure circle in the case of base failure is called a
midpoint circle. Image Source: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition
 Types of Stability Analysis Procedures
Various procedures of stability analysis may, in general, be divided into
two major classes:
➢ MASS PROCEDURE:
In this case, the mass of the soil above the surface of sliding is taken
as a unit. This procedure is useful when the soil that forms the slope is
assumed to be homogeneous, although this is not the case in most
natural slopes.
➢ METHOD OF SLICES:
In this procedure, the soil above the surface of sliding is divided into a
number of vertical parallel slices. The stability of each slice is calculated
separately. This is a versatile technique in which the non-homogeneity of
the soils and pore water pressure can be taken into consideration. It also
accounts for the variation of the normal stress along the potential failure
surface.
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
 MASS PROCEDURE: Slopes in
Homogeneous Clay Soil with ϕ=0

For Critical Circles:

STABILITY NUMBER (n)

𝐂𝐝
𝐧=
𝛅𝐬𝐇

Prepared by: Engr Gine G. Image Source: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition
 CRITICAL HEIGHT OF SLOPE, Hcr
Under critical equilibrium:
When: F.S. =1 and cd = cu

𝐜𝐮
𝐇𝐜𝐫 = Hcr
𝛅𝐬 𝐧
β θ
When:
FS = Fc = Fϕ
cd = c
H = Hcr cu = undrained shear strength
𝐜 δs = unit weight of soil
𝐇𝐜𝐫 = n = stability number
𝛅𝐬 𝐧
Hcr = critical height of slope
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
Image Source: Principles of
Geotechnical Engineering
by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition
Image Source: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition
MASS PROCEDURE: Slopes in Homogeneous Clay Soil with ϕ=0

Fig 15.15 Location of midpoint circle

Fig 15.14 (Based on Fellenius 1927 and Terzhaghi and Peck 1967)
Location of the center of critical circles for β > 53º
Image Source: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition
 MASS PROCEDURE: Slopes in Homogeneous Clay Soil with ϕ=0
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

Fig 15.16 Location of the center of critical

toe circles for β < 53º

Image Source: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition

SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING C-01:
The cut slope shown in the figure shall be constructed in soft clay soil, rising at an
angle of 70º to the horizontal. The soil has a unit weight of 17KN / m3 and shear
strength of 28 KN / m2. The maximum depth to which the excavation can be
carried out is 8.22 m. The critical circle at A is tangent to the horizontal axis.
(a)Calculate the stability of the number
(b)Calculate the angle of the failure plane with the horizontal plane.
(c)Determine the radius of the circle of the toe
SOLUTION:
B 6.78 m C
Hcr = 8.22m

θ
A 70º
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING C-02:
A cut slope consist of soil materials that has a unit weight of 16 KN/m³ and
undrained shear strength = 28 KN/m² . The slope makes an angle of 50º with the
horizontal. Assume a stability number of 0.17.
a. Determine the stability factor
b. Determine the maximum height to which the cut could be made
c. Determine the angle that the failure plane makes with the horizontal if
BC=7.6m.

B 7.6 m C

Hcr

θ
A β

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING C-03:
In saturated clay, A cut slope had been excavated. The angle of the slope is 38 degrees with the horizontal.
Slope failure occurred when the cut reached a depth of 8 m. The previous exploration of the soil found that a
rock layer was situated at a depth of 12.0 m below the ground surface. Suppose the saturated unit weight of
the soil is 17.4 KN / m3 of the undrained condition.
(a) Calculate the undrained clay cohesion If the stability number is 0.18.
(b) Determine the nature of this critical circle?
(c) Determine the location or distance the slipping surface intersected the bottom of the excavation if n=0.95.
SOLUTION: (a) UNDRAINED COHESION
C D 𝐂𝐮 𝐂𝐮
𝐇𝐜𝐫 = → 𝟖=
𝛅 𝐧 𝟏𝟕. 𝟒 𝟎. 𝟏𝟖
𝐇 = 𝟖𝐦

𝐃𝐇 = 𝟏𝟐𝐦
𝐂𝐮 = 𝟐𝟓. 𝟎𝟓𝟔𝐊𝐍/𝐦𝟐
A B β = 38º
(b) NATURE OF CRITICAL CIRCLE
𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐈𝐑𝐂𝐋𝐄
(c) DISTANCE AB
𝐧𝐇 𝐀𝐁 = 𝟕. 𝟔𝐦
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
𝐀𝐁 = 𝐧𝐇 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟓 𝟖
SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING C-04:
C D
A saturated clay cut slope has the

𝐇 = 𝟏𝟎𝐦
following properties:

𝐃𝐇 = 14 m
δs = 17 KN/m³ (undrained condition) β = 48º
Slope angle with the horizontal, β = 48º A B
Cut depth = 10m
A rock layer was located at a depth of 14
meter below the ground surface
𝐧𝐇
a. Determine the undrained cohesion of
the clay (Cu)
b. Determine the nature of the critical
circle (is it toe, slope or midpoint
circle?).
c. What distance did the surface of the
sliding intersect the bottom of the
excavation?
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.
SAMPLE PROBLEM SOLVING C-05:
A saturated clay cut slope has the following properties:
Unit weight, δs = 18.5 KN/m³
Undrained shear strength, Cu = 26 KN/m² (ϕ = 0 condition)
Slope angle with the horizontal, β = 55º
a. Determine the maximum height to which the cut could be made assume that
the critical sliding surface is circular.
b. Determine the nature of the critical circle (is it toe, slope or midpoint circle?).
c. How deep should the cut be made to ensure a FS of 2.5 against sliding?

Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

 STABILITY OF FINITE SLOPES:
ORDINARY METHOD OF SLICES
✓ The soil above the trial failure
surface is divided into several
vertical slices.
✓ The width (bn) does not have
the same measurement, but
must be considered a straight
line.
✓ One slice must have one type of
soil in the failure surface.
✓ The total weight in a slice are:
the soil, water and external load
Note: the accuracy can be increased by increasing the number of slices
Prepared by: Engr Gine G. Image Source: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition
 STABILITY OF FINITE SLOPES:
ORDINARY METHOD OF SLICES
FACTOR OF SAFETY

NOTE:

Prepared by: Engr Gine G. Reference: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition
 STABILITY OF FINITE SLOPES: ORDINARY METHOD OF SLICES
Prepared by: Engr Gine G.

Reference: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition

 STABILITY OF FINITE SLOPES: ORDINARY METHOD OF SLICES

PROBLEM: Using ordinary method of slices, find

the factor of safety with respect to sliding

H = 15.2 meter
β = 45º , α = 30º
θ = 70º , ϕ = 18º
c = 31 kPa
δ = 18.9 KN/m³
Prepared by: Engr Gine G. Reference: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das, 8th Edition
 Step 1: Draw two parallel lines
(use pencil for lines) with distance H

Step 2: Assign location of point A

(location of toe of slope)
Step 3: [Place protractor at point A]
Measure the angle of the slope β from
the horizontal and using this reference
angle, draw straight line which will pass
from point A until it will intersect the
upper line (point B)
Step 4:[Place protractor at point A] Measure the angle of the imaginary line which
passes through the ends of the critical circle, α, from the horizontal and using this
reference angle draw light/broken straight line which will pass from point A until it will
intersect the upper line (intersection is point C)
Step 5:(place your protractor at point A) Measure 55º
(counter-clockwise angle of the radius from line AC) and
using this reference angle draw light/broken straight line
Step 6: (place your protractor at point C) Measure 55º
(clockwise angle of the radius from line AC) and using this
reference angle draw light/broken straight line
Step 7: Identify the intersection of the two light/broken
lines as point O (center of the critical circle)
Check: ∠𝐴𝐶𝑂 = 𝜃 = 70º

Note: The angle of the sector of the critical circle, θ = 70º

(∠𝐴𝑂𝐶), thus the line that passes through point O (center of the
circle) to point A (OA) and line that passes through point O and
C (OC) are equal (radius of the critical circle), therefore the
triangle ACO is an isosceles triangle which has two equal sides
and two equal interior angles
OA = OC
180 − 70
∠CAO = ∠ACO = = 55º
2
Step 9: Draw the critical circle: arc AC (using the Step 10: Draw the boundaries of the different slices
compass, place the metallic needle at point O, and the pen (assume 5 slices for this example) and measure the height
at either A or C, then draw carefully the arc) and of these boundaries, consider the scale used, and number
remove/erase line AC the slices starting from point C.

Notes:
(a) the width (bn) of each slices are not necessarily equal - you need to draw
boundary lines at the toe/point A (applicable for midpoint circle) and at point
B (applicable for all critical circles)
(b) the accuracy is based on the number of slices
↑ number of slices = ↑ accuracy = ↓ error
For bn:

Step 11: Measure the width (bn)

of each slices
(consider the assumed scale)