الفهرس 
Chapter 1: IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
This thesis dealt with the applicability of optimized numerical slope stability models of road embankments adjacent to water channels under traffic load. It included three stages:
o In the first stage, the applicability of optimized numerical models of the slope stability of road embankments adjacent to water channels under traffic load has been evaluated, and verification of optimization results by the Finite Element Method (FEM) using PLAXIS 2D to verify the suitability of the proposed method in enhancing and optimizing the calculation of FoS values.
o In the second stage, the effect of traffic load applied at different distances from the slope edge on the slope stability using the proposed optimized method was studied, and the results were evaluated and compared with the traditional method.
o In the last stage, the effect of soil nails on the slope stability in terms of inclination of the soil nail, the spacing distance between the soil nails, and the length of the soil nail using the optimized method has been examined, and the results were evaluated and compared with the traditional method.
Based on the results of the analysis:
• The FoS Value obtained by the optimization function on the Morgenstern-Price method using the GR slip surface generation method is very similar to the value of the safety factor using the FEM.
• Optimizing numerical models of slope stability of road embankments using the LEM is useful for obtaining more accurate safety factors and the position and shape of slip surface more realistically.
• When the distance between the slope edge and the traffic loads increased, the values of FoS increased.
• The soil nails exhibit obvious reinforcing effects on the slope stability. When the length of the soil nails was 8 or 10 m, the soil nail force did not reach the maximum designed force, which is 44.44 kN. This indicates that the length of the soil nails was not sufficient, whereas the maximum design force was reached when soil nails with a 12 m were used. This demonstrates the increase in the FoS of slope stability with the increasing length of soil nails.
• When the length of the soil nails was 12 m with 10° soil nail inclination in six rows of soil nails, the value of the safety factor was decreased when the horizontal spacing between the soil nails was reduced to 1 m and 0.5 m instead of 1.5 m. However, at an inclination of 20°, the value of the safety factor increased. Therefore, the proper inclination of the soil nails in this study was 20°.
• The critical FoS was obtained when the surcharge load was 30 kPa/m as an extreme case (a fully loaded concrete truck) and added Seismic coefficients using optimized LEM.
After evaluating and comparing the results of the optimized LEM method with the traditional method, it is recommended to use the optimized LEM method because it enhances the FoS values and model the slip surface’s shape and position more realistically.
6.2 Future Work
We recommended that for future studies:
• Study changes in parameters for the Optimization function in SLOPE/W and its effect on optimizing numerical models of slope stability of road embankments using the limit equilibrium method.
• Study seepage forces because, in such case of embankment between two canals, seepage force is important.
• Study the effect of variation in soil properties on the applicability of optimized numerical models of slope stability.