The analysis of slope stability problems in engineering practice requires considerable attention for the three-dimensional (3D) effect of plan curvature of the slope. This paper quantifies this effect by a dimensionless parameter of the relative curvature radius of the slope (R/H) and proposes a set of 3D stability charts that can be used to estimate the factor of safety (FOS) of convex and concave slopes in plan view with homogeneous soil, extending those currently regularly used for 3D straight slope stability evaluations. To simplify the computational process, an alternative way to perform the FEM with the strength-reduction technique is used herein in the slope stability analysis. The strength-reduction analysis results in this paper together with results of other researchers were found to bracket the FOS to within ±5% or better and therefore can be used to benchmark the solutions of other methods. Changing the relative curvature radius of the slope (R/H) shows that concave slopes are more sta...

The characteristics of landfilled municipal solid waste have great influence on the design, operation, and management of landfills, affecting settlement, slope stability, and leachate/gas well integrity. Through analysis and study we observed that the landfill method is widely used to dispose of municipal solid waste (MSW), especially in developing countries. The research results of MSW landfill properties are different due to waste inhomogeneity. In this paper, MSW physical composition, unit weight, and permeability coefficient of landfills in several countries were reviewed and discussed. Landfilled MSW has strong regional and temporal characteristics. Landfilled MSW of developing countries has high organic content ranges from 75.00% to 97.15%. The organic contents in landfills of most developed regions are relatively small. The unit weight ranged from 4.9-17.8 kN/m³ and the permeability coefficient ranged from 3.5×10^-2 cm/sec to 5.0×10^-8 cm/sec within 60 m. In the process of waste degradation, MSW physical composition, unit weight, and permeability coefficient are changed. Waste classification improves the recovery and utilization of landfill and reduces the amount of waste, which affects the characteristics of landfilled MSW. Thus, strengthening waste classification, recycling, and recovery of MSW is significant and meaningful for construction, operation, and management of landfills.

The purpose of establishing a tailings dam is to safely store tailings to protect the natural environment from damage. Accidents at tailings dams are frequent, however, with serious consequences of not only threats to life and property but also the pollution of the environment. Many tailings dam accidents are caused by seepage failure. In this paper, the object of the case study is the Lixi tailings dam. Three- and two-dimensional finite element models are established. The seepage field of the project under different working conditions is simulated and the position of the phreatic line is obtained. The safety factors under different working conditions are obtained by combining the seepage field with the stable surface. Finally, the influence of different dry and upstream slope ratio on seepage and stability of tailings dam is obtained. The results show that the longer the length of the dry beach, the lower the phreatic line and the greater the safety factor. The higher the upstream slope ratio, the lower the phreatic line and the greater the safety factor.

Canal seepage is an important cause of irrigation water losses. Specific seepage losses of Gongan lateral and Zuosi field canals, which are located in the Hetao Irrigation District of Inner Mongolia in China, are calculated in this study. Specifically, canal seepage losses are calculated by field experiments, empirical formulas, the Kostiakov formula, and numerical simulations. The ponding method is rarely utilized in large irrigation canals and canals with many branches or high slopes. The results of the field experiment are utilized to compare and analyze the calculation results of three other methods. When the empirical formulas are employed to calculate canal seepage losses, more related factors are considered; hence, more-accurate calculation results are obtained. The first empirical formula is mostly used for canals that do not adopt seepage control measures or apply simple forms for seepage control. The second empirical formula is suitable for the case wherein the entire flow section of a c...