Effects of geometries on three-dimensional slope stability

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effects of complex geometries on three-dimensional (3D) slope stability using an elastoplastic finite difference method (FDM) with a strength reduction technique. A series of special 3D slopes with various geometric configurations, including curving slope surface, turning corners, turning arcs, and turning forms, is presented in terms of factor of safety, shear slip surface, and deformed mesh. More than 180 cases with various geometries for different slope gradient (90°, 45°, and 26.57°) under different boundary conditions (smooth–smooth, rough–smooth, and rough–rough) are calculated and discussed in detail. Many interesting results are obtained and some of them appear to be surprising. These results can be used directly to offer suggestions for landslide hazard preparedness or safe and economical design of infrastructures, e.g., excavations, embankments, and so on.

The role of uncertainty in bedrock depth and hydraulic properties on the stability of a variably-saturated slope

“…For instance, some authors have pointed out that landslides are controlled by critical rainfall intensity and duration [7], anisotropic hydraulic conductivity [7,58], slope geometry [2][3][4][5][6], initial saturation [3,4,7], recharge from bedrock [3,58], and strength parameters [11] on landslides. These studies, however, have been restricted to simplified geometries.…”

“…Numerous contributions to the geotechnical literature have investigated the triggering mechanisms and probability of occurrence of rainfall-induced landslides. This body of work has shown that the stability of hillslopes is controlled by many different factors including surface topography [2], depth to unweathered bedrock [3][4][5][6], the hydraulic properties [7,8] and shear strength [9][10][11] including their spatial variability [12,13].…”

Three-dimensional slope stability assessment of two-layered undrained clay

“…This study shows that a 3D analysis is probably more realistic than a 2D analysis as it is able to account properly for the fixity and geometry of abutments in the third dimension. Additionally, Zhang et al [39] (a) 2D slope geometry (b) 3D slope geometry who used finite difference method, also found that slope stability can be influenced by the 3D geometries of the slope.…”

Comparison of three dimensional and two dimensional axisymmetric finite element analyses of a corner section of a tailings da

“…Three-dimensional analyses are generally considered to be useful for corners of embankments (see, e.g., [18][19][20][21]). A nite element program for threedimensional models PLAXIS 3D [22] was utilized to simulate gradual raisings of the corner of Aitik tailings dam up to a height of 76 m. The gradual raisings of the dam corner were simulated in various stages.…”