Stability Analysis of a Two‐Layered Slope with Cracks by Finite Element Limit Analysis

Abstract

In this study, to support slope stability estimating engineering, the stability of a slope with cracks lying on two-layered slopes was investigated by a self-developed adaptive element limit analysis (AFELA) code. Upper bound (UB) and lower bound (LB) results of soil additional gravity factor SF within 4% relative error were obtained to quantify the effects of several factors, including the Moore‒Cullen strength ratio, angle of the slope, thickness of the top layer, length of the crack, angle of the crack, and crack’s distance from the edge. Typical failure patterns were also discussed for deeper insight into the two-layered slope stability with cracks. In addition, the results of the AFELA code were compared with the actual situation of the slope and existing commercial calculation software to verify the reliability of this investigation.

Effect of Inclined Tension Crack on Rock Slope Stability by SSR Technique

“…Although present numerical results are discussed in view of the magnitude and location of CSRF and the size of the failure zone, further study will be interesting to correlate them. Finally, it would also be interesting to carry out a three-dimensional analysis of a rock slope in the presence of both tension cracks and joints [23,[29][30][31]. The present numerical study establishes that failure of the rock slope in the presence of an inclined TC results in a change of both magnitude and location of the Critical Strength Reduction Factor.…”

“…Studies have shown that although the magnitude of CSRF changes linearly with cohesion and angle of internal friction of slope rock mass, the location of CSRF does not depend on it [28,29]. In the present study, the effect of an inclined tension crack on CSRF is investigated numerically as a function of inclination angle and crest distance of TC [30,31]. Further, TC is replaced with a joint to examine the effect of a sloping mass on CSRF/FoS.…”