Sustainable Slope Stability Analysis: A Critical Study on Methods

Abstract

When studying the stability of a slope, the first issue that needs to be clarified is the slip surface, which determines the minimum safety factor. The slopes investigated here are homogenous with three distinct gradients (1:1.5; 1:1; 2:1), two defined heights (H-3 m; H-8 m), and four different soil characteristics (S1—clayey silt, S2—sandy clayey silt, S3—sandy silty clay, S4—clay). The purpose of this paper is to develop a new methodology capable of estimating the safety factor and the shape and centre of the critical slip surface, delivering an improved estimate of slope probability of failure, which can represent a significant component in a more precise risk assessment. This paper compares distinct methods used in the slope stability analysis, examining their hypotheses and effects on the estimated safety factor and the centre and shape of the critical slip surface. The study compares the limit equilibrium results with those determined by the shear strength reduction method using an approach based on the upper-bound limit analysis to compare the predictions extracted from these methods with those from the finite element method (FEM) analysis. The finite element method discretizes the soil mass into finite elements. Hence, it establishes a kinematically admissible velocity field searching for the failure mechanism of the slope. Results for FEM show the influence of the slope geometry and the mesh size and density on the safety factor. In the study, plots of the regression curves of five different critical slip surface shapes, including a circular slip surface (benchmark), show that the shape of the failure surface depends on the shape and material of the slope. Furthermore, they show that the critical slip surface layout can approach a logarithmic spiral, damped sinusoid, parabola, etc.; the slip surface is not always circular. The analysis reveals that none of the approaches can consider all uncertainties concerning the factor of safety and the interpretations of critical slip surfaces.

Stability of MSW Landfill Slopes Reinforced with Geogrids

“…When the results obtained from these studies are examined, it is seen that although the FS values obtained by LEM and FEM analyses are in general agreement, there are differences of up to 10%. According to Rotaru et al [44], although there are acceptable differences between the FS values obtained from the LEM and FEM analyses, this reveals a fundamental difference in the principles of approach between the analyses. While LEM is based on a static force or moment equilibrium analysis, the formulations used in FEM depend on the stress-strain relationship.…”

“…When the FS values obtained as a result of the FEM and LEM analyses are compared, it is seen that the FS obtained with LEM are generally higher. There are many studies in the literature that perform slope stability analysis using LEM and FEM and compare the results [39][40][41][42][43][44].…”

Stability of Unsaturated Soil Slope Considering Stratigraphic Uncertainty

“…The stability analysis of slopes includes the limit equilibrium method, the finite element method, etc. [48]. The finite element method can consider the heterogeneity of soil and the nonlinearity of materials, and it does not need to assume the position of the sliding surface in advance.…”

“…Until now, the existing research on slope stability analysis considering stratigraphic uncertainty has been limited to dry or saturated slope. Rotaru et al [48] investigated the slip surface and FS of slope with four different soil characteristics using the limit equilibrium method and the finite element method (FEM). He pointed out that for non-homogeneous slopes, the discontinuity of the soil parameters will lead to discontinuities of the stress field, and then lead to the difficulty to determine the critical slip surface and FS.…”

Exploration and research on ammonium free green leaching agent for ionic rare earth ore and influencing factors of soil slope stability

“…External in uencing factors of soil slope stability and prevention and control measures 3.1 Soil slope stability external in uence factors Ionic rare earth mine magnesium sulfate extraction solution leaching process due to the ltration of magnesium sulfate extraction solution, time and simulated precipitation, and other factors of the interaction, easy to cause ionic rare earth mine soil slope stability, landslides and other geological disasters. The study of ionic rare earth mine soil slope stability is to better prevent landslides, in addition to the above factors, factors such as the topography and the recovery method of the solution will also affect the slope stability (Rotaru et al, 2022).…”