A simplified approach for stability analysis of slopes reinforced with one row of embedded stabilizing piles

Embedded stabilizing piles are new anti-slide structures that are unlike traditional stabilizing piles. The pile heads are embedded at a certain depth below the surface of a slope. The piles do not need to support the thrust of the entire upslope sliding mass, and it is, therefore, possible to reduce the sliding thrust on the piles. The embedded depth of the pile heads is an important parameter to maximize the anti-sliding function. Based on an analysis of the stability mechanism of a reinforced landslide with one row of embedded stabilizing piles, a calculation method for the embedded depth of a pile head using limit equilibrium theory is proposed. The related calculation formula is derived in detail using the transfer coefficient method. The proposed method features a close correlation between the embedded depth of a pile head and the design factor of safety of a slope to be reinforced. Additionally, the method can quantitatively demonstrate the relationship that the factor of safety of the slope for the failure mode of the surpassing pile head decreases as the embedded depth of the pile head increases. For a given factor of safety, the range of the maximum bending moment, the maximum shear force on a pile and the lateral displacement at the pile head also can be approximately predicted. Several calculation examples that are closely related to practical engineering applications are examined to show the convenience and rationality of the proposed method. In addition, the theoretical analysis is compared with the results of the numerical simulation of an actual accumulation landslide control engineering project. The results further demonstrate that the proposed theoretical analysis method is reasonable and applicable.