Numerical Investigation on Stability of Slope Reinforced with Alkaline Binder-Treated Jute Under Different Rainfall Conditions

Slope stability issues caused by rainfall infiltration are common in tropical areas and many parts of the world. The main aim of this research is to investigate the effect of slope angle (θ) on the stability of a residual soil slope exposed to different rainfall intensities. A number of finite-element analyses on a full-scale soil slope are performed for this analysis. The Finite-Element Method (FEM)-based programme Plaxis 2D is used to simulate the slope model. Plane strain 15-noded elements and Mohr–Coulomb soil model are used to describe the soil. Three different slope angles (i.e. 30°, 45°, and 60°) are investigated under various rainfall conditions varying from low to high intensities (10.2 and 23.4 mm/h) and durations. The slope is modelled without reinforcement and reinforced with different types of untreated and treated natural jute geotextiles. The natural jute is treated with alkali-activated binder (AAB) having 0.35, 0.40, and 0.45 water-to-solids ratio. AAB treatment helps to increase the strength and durability properties of natural jute. According to the results of the numerical analysis, θ has a significant effect on the maximum deformation of the slope subjected to rainfall. It is observed that maximum deformation values of slope model without any reinforcement increase with increase in both duration and intensity of rainfall.