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Study on stability analysis of soil nail reinforced slopes under loading based on the discrete element method
Fengling Tan1, Guangjing Yin1, Pengpeng Zhao1
1Research and Design Institute, Sinohydro Engineering Bureau 8 CO., LTD., Changsha, Hunan, China.
Plos One
|May 26, 2026
Summary
Surcharge loads reduce soil-nailed slope stability and increase deformation. Understanding how load type and width affect soil nail reinforcement is crucial for safe slope design.
Area of Science:
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Computational Geomechanics
Background:
- Soil nailing is a common technique for enhancing slope stability.
- The mesoscopic mechanical response of soil-nailed slopes under surcharge loading requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the progressive failure, macroscopic stability, and micromechanical behaviors of soil-nailed slopes under various surcharge loads.
- To analyze the influence of loading type (point vs. distributed linear) and magnitude/width on slope performance.
Main Methods:
- Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations were utilized.
- Numerical models simulated soil-nailed slopes subjected to point and distributed linear loading with varying parameters.
Main Results:
- Surcharge loading significantly decreases slope stability and increases deformation.
- Point loading causes localized deformation, while linear loading's impact on stability depends on width.
- Micromechanical analysis revealed increased strain energy, particle rotation, and stress heterogeneity.
- Load distribution influences force transfer within the soil nail reinforcement system.
Conclusions:
- Surcharge loads near the slope crest require careful control and adequate setback distances.
- Findings offer practical guidance for reinforcement design and understanding failure mechanisms in soil-nailed slopes under surcharge conditions.
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