An efficient method for computing slope reliability calculation based on rigorous limit equilibrium

Abstract

Traditional rigorous limit equilibrium methods satisfy all equilibrium conditions and usually have high accuracy, however, which are less efficient for slope reliability analysis. The main reason is that the limit state functions are highly nonlinear implicit functions of safety factor. Complex numerical iterations are required, which may sometimes lead to computational convergence problems. A new method for computing slope reliability calculation with high efficiency and accuracy was proposed. This method was based on the rigorous limit equilibrium method by modifying normal stresses over the slip surface. The critical horizontal acceleration factor K c {K}_{c} , which can be expressed explicitly, was used to replace the implicit safety factor as a representation of slope stability. The difference between K c {K}_{c} and the known value K c 0 {K}_{c0} was used as the limit state function. Two slope examples were analyzed. The results showed that the calculation results of this method were in good agreement with those of the traditional Morgenstern–Price limit equilibrium method, but the computational efficiency was significantly improved. When this method was combined with the subset simulation method, the calculation time was only a few seconds. Therefore, this method can be used for rapid calculation of slope reliability.

A Simplified Method for Effective Calculation of 3D Slope Reliability

“…On the basis of the method in this paper, the specific steps of calculating the failure probability and reliability index of the slope by the subset simulation method are shown in Chen [27], which will not be repeated here.…”

“…In the author's previous work [27], it has been proved that the limit state performance function using the critical horizontal acceleration coefficient expression can indeed significantly improve the computational efficiency probability of 2D slope reliability. In this paper, we extend the previous work to the 3D slope and comprehensively study the accuracy and efficiency of the obtained algorithm.…”