Document: NUREG-0800
Document ID: 8981f423-79ff-42f4-9d5d-f0aa9777b60e
Document Type: srp
Title: STABILITY OF SLOPES
Source: NUREG-0800
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0523/ML052340606.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 2
Section ID: 2.5.5
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
ether or not the assumptions and analyses used in the design are conservative. The degree of conservatism required depends upon the type of analysis used, the reliability 2.5.5-5 Rev. 2 - July 1981 of parameters considered in the slope stability analysis, the number of borings, the sampling program, the extent of the laboratory test program, and the resultant safety factor. In general, the applicable soil strength data should be conservatively selected for the various possible soil profiles and slope conditions. For lower safety factors, several soil profiles should be analyzed to insure that reasonable ranges of soil properties have been considered. Other factors such as flood conditions, pore pressure effects, possible erosion of soils, and possible seismic amplification effects should be conservatively assessed. The design criteria and analyses are reviewed to ascertain that the techniques employed are appropriate and represent the present state-of-the-art. Staff comments and questions at this phase of the review, concerning the information in the SAR, are sent to the applicant as first-round questions (Q-1). An inde- pendent analysis of the design of safety-related earth or rock-fill embankments may be performed by the staff's advisors or by the staff as deemed necessary. Consultants may also evaluate natural or cut slopes, as required, on a case-by- I case basis. The evaluations conducted by the staff and its advisors may identify additional unresolved items or reveal that the applicant's analyses are not conservative. Additional information is then requested in a second round of questions (Q-2), or a staff position is taken requiring conformance to a more conservative approach. After completing the review, if the staff's conclusions are consistent with those reached by the applicant, these conclusions are summarized in the safety evaluation report (SER) or in a supplement to the SER. In the event that the applicant's investigation and design are not judged to