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An improved harmony search algorithm is proposed which is found to be more efficient than the original harmony search algorithm for slope stability analysis. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is examined by considering several published cases. The improved harmony search method is applied to slope stability problems with five types of procedure for generating trial slip surfaces. It is demonstrated that the improved harmony search algorithm is efficient and effective for the minimization of factors of safety for various difficult problems, and the method of generating the trial failure surfaces can be important in the minimization process.

This study concerns the safety factor and the reliability calculation for structural codes. The Eurocodes are used as a reference. Safety factor calculation is a demanding task which necessitates using an appropriate root-solving algorithm with a sufficient numerical accuracy. This article introduces a simple algorithm to calculate the safety factors directly, as previously there has been no means to control the accuracy. Presently, the safety factors are defined indirectly through the reliability index. The basic safety factor calculation is presented here in six different equations with the same outcome but differences regarding the numerical calculation, which provides a method to check the accuracy and select a proper equation for the root solver. The safety factor calculation for the permanent and the variable load in the Eurocodes is based on the independent, i.e., random, load combination and single load pairs. The current approach of safety factor calculation applied in the Eurocodes is disclosed here. Simple analytical equations based on the convolution equation are presented. Those can be used instead of the computer programs applied currently.

The determination of reliable geotechnical parameters from laboratory testing is highly dependent on sample quality. Over the past decades, undisturbed sampling of soft sensitive clays has been performed using various apparatuses and procedures. This paper outlines details of the design and performance of a new Laval-type tube sampler employed for the investigation of five soft clay sites located in Finland. The investigation was conducted using the new tube sampler and two different piston samplers. The sample quality was evaluated based on the recompression volume during reconsolidation to the in situ effective stress in constant-rate-of-strain oedometer tests. Test results show that tube samples are generally characterized by higher quality, especially in low-plasticity clays. In particular, the quality of piston samples is highly affected by the apparatus condition and sampling operations. Furthermore, the influence of storage time on tube samples was investigated. To guarantee a proper confinement, and thus reduce swelling, a pressurized system was applied to the tube samples obtained in two soft clay sites. Results demonstrate that the sample quality is not significantly affected by storage time as long as the soil is properly stored in the tube.

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