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GATE 2019 CE (CE2) – Question 25

Geotechnical Engineering · Stability of slopes · 1 mark · Multiple choice

An earthen dam of height H consists of cohesive soil of cohesion c and unit weight γ. With factor of safety against cohesion $F_c$, find Taylor’s stability number.

  1. $\gamma H/(cF_c)$
  2. $cF_c/(\gamma H)$
  3. $c/(F_c\gamma H)$
  4. $F_c\gamma H/c$

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (C) $c/(F_c\gamma H)$

Explanation

Mobilized cohesion is $c_m=c/F_c$. Taylor’s dimensionless stability number is $S_n=c_m/(\gamma H)=c/(F_c\gamma H)$: **C**.