Analysis by Numerical Simulation of the Stabilization of Slope Sites under Building Loads

Abstract

This study evaluates the effects of the initial situation of the site (slope and quality of the soil with its resistance characteristics), building loads, support and drainage/non-drainage on the safety and stability of sloping sites. The objective is to contribute to the stabilization of sloping sites under building loads. Considering a sloping site under building loads in the city of Bujumbura in Burundi facing the problem of instability, an experimental study of the site’s soils is first carried out in the laboratory. Secondly, an analysis by numerical simulation of stability is carried out based on 3 main simulation cases: By first considering an initial situation (unloaded), then a loaded situation without support and a loaded situation with support. The calculation is carried out in a drained state and in an undrained state, with a water table blocked at depth to simulate the reality on the ground. Three buildings of different levels are designed according to the existing buildings and their loads are determined for the loaded case simulations. The results of the analysis thus make it possible to assess the effect on safety and stability of: 1) the slope of the unloaded site and the quality of the soil with its resistance characteristics, 2) the loads of the buildings or their intensive increase, 3) the drained or undrained state of the soil on the site, 4) the support or non-support of the unloaded or loaded, drained or undrained sloping site.