Analysis of riverbank instability due to toe scour and lateral erosion

This paper provides instruction in the use of the computer spreadsheet to undertake the calculations necessary to apply the Osman–Thorne bank stability analysis for steep, eroding riverbanks. The guide explains how to input the necessary parameters into the LOTUS 123 spreadsheet in order to:

• 1 find the initial factor of safety of the bank with respect to slab-type failure;
• 2 test the sensitivity of bank stability to changes in the engineering properties of the bank material;
• 3 analyse the response of bank stability to toe scour and/or lateral erosion and find the critical condition;
• 4 find the geometry of the failure surface and failure block;
• 5 analyse the response of bank stability to further toe scour and/or lateral erosion;
• 6 find the geometry of the failure surface and failure block in subsequent failures.