The Selection of Soil Strength for a Stability Analysis - 1997 Buchanan Lecture by T. William Lambe

The Spencer J. Buchanan Lecture Series on the GeoChannel is presented by the Geo-Institute of ASCE. For more information about the Geo-Institute: http://www.asce.org/geotechnical-engi...

The Fifth Spencer J. Buchanan Lecture in the Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University was given by Professor T. William Lambe on 14 November 1997.

"The Selection of Soil Strength for a Stability Analysis"

Abstract:

"The 1997 Buchanan Lecture rests on geotechnical fundamentals and lessons learned from my investigations of slope failures. It addresses a number of important aspects in slope stability analysis including the fact that the soil strength depends on the path to failure, that to obtain the appropriate strength for a stability analysis the engineer should run a test along the field effective stress path, and that the conventional methods of stability analysis based on an assumption of a vertical effective stress path to failure make no sense. The concepts outlined are illustrated by using full scale examples of slope failures."

About T. William Lambe

Professor T. William Lambe is the Edmund K. Turner Professor of Civil Engineering, Emeritus at MIT. He received his Bachelor's degree from North Carolina State University in 1942 and his Doctorate from MIT in 1948. He is a Member of the National Academy of Engineers, an Honorary Member of several distinguished societies including ASCE and the Institution of Civil Engineers. He has received numerous awards for his contributions including the Norman Medal (1964) and the Terzaghi Award (1975) and has delivered prestigious lectures on his research findings including the Rankine lecture (1973) and the Terzaghi lecture (1970). He started his consulting work in 1945 as an assistant to Professors Terzaghi and Taylor; 52 years later he has accumulated a rare wealth of word wide experience with problems ranging from dams to offshore structures, from underground construction to foundations, and from highways to environmental projects. He has authored and co-authored three books and published 95 journal articles.

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