Generalised framework of limit equilibrium methods for slope stability analysis

Abstract

A generalised framework is proposed in this paper incorporating almost all of the existing limit equilibrium methods of slices for slope stability analysis with general slip surfaces. The force and moment equilibrium equations are derived in terms of the factor of safety and the initially assumed normal stress distribution over the slip surface, multiplied by a modification function involving two auxiliary unknowns. These equations are then analytically solved to yield explicit expressions for the factor of safety. Various assumptions regarding the interslice forces can be transformed into a unified form of expression for the normal stress distribution along the slip surface. An iterative procedure is developed to expedite the convergence of the solution for the factor of safety. Experience to date indicates that the process generally converges within a few iterations. Computation schemes are suggested to avoid numerical difficulty, especially in computing the factor of safety associated with the rigorous Janbu method. The present framework can be readily implemented in a computer program, giving solutions of slope stability associated with a number of conventional methods of slices.

Geotechnical Characteristics and Stability Analysis of Rock‐Soil Aggregate Slope at the Gushui Hydropower Station, Southwest China

“…In this paper, a three-dimensional limit equilibrium method (3D Bishop Method) is adopted to compute the safety factor of the rock-soil aggregate slope [23]. Because the safety factor in three-dimensional conditions is influenced by the landslide direction, the landslide direction for each slope is a certain value, according to the direction of mesh grid.…”

Identification of arbitrarily shaped critical 3D failure surface of a slope based on the sliding direction

“…7,8 The limit equilibrium method is widely adopted due to ease of understanding. [9][10][11][12] Although the limit equilibrium method is easier than some numerical methods, it still needs to iterate for solving safety factor (SF). 13 In recent years, the minimum potential energy method developed from the energy perspective has been gradually used for assessing the slope stability.…”

Application of an elastoplastic spectral‐element method to 3D slope stability analysis

“…The actual forces are often estimated by dividing the rigid body into several pieces of a simpler geometry (e.g., vertical columns). There are several limit equilibrium methods, for example, the ordinary, modified Bishop, Morgenstern and Price, Spencer, and Janbu methods (details may be found in, e.g., Abramson et al ), and there have been numerous improvements to these methods . The limit equilibrium method is simple and fast.…”