A probabilistic non-linear finite element analysis for slope stability problem

Abstract

This paper deals with the slope stability problem by a finite element reliability analysis considering the spatial variation of soil strength parameters. In this work, the spatial variation is described using random field theory. To simplify the implementation of the proposed procedure for slope reliability analysis, elastic perfectly plastic constitutive model describing the soil behaviour using the Mohr coulomb yield criterion is adopted. The application of the proposed approach for the slope reliability analysis is performed using a performance function expressed in terms of stress fields mobilised along a circular failure surface. For this purpose, a computation of the stress gradient based on the incremental theory of plasticity is used. The results of the proposed procedure are checked by a probabilistic method based on the combination of the Bishop's model and the Monte Carlo simulation. The numerical examples have elucidated the efficiency and the validity of the present procedure to slope reliability analysis. Finally, the proposed procedure is applied for locating critical probabilistic circular sliding surface considering the spatial variation of the shear strength parameters.