Stability of Slope with the Weak Structural Plane Based on 2-D Nonlinear Finite Element Method

To overcome the disadvantages of the limit equilibrium method and the finite element method on evaluation the stability of slope with the weak structural plane, the elastic-plastic finite element method, the Goodman joint element and the limit equilibrium method are utilized together, and two concepts, that are the joint element safety factor and the node yielding degree, are introduced to evaluate the slope stability with the weak structural plane, and the correspond calculation codes are programmed. Finally, a man-made slope case is analyzed to validate the numerical model and program codes. The stress, strain, displacement, the node yielding degree of the slope and the force of weak structural plane are calculated by elastic-plastic finite element method, and the element safety factor of the slope with the weak structural plane are calculated with the limit equilibrium method. That numerical results are agree well with the engineering fact indicates the program coded are reliable, and the proposed numerical model and two introduced concepts can not only consider the influence of the relation of stress and strain on the slope stability, but also evaluate the stability of the slope with single stability factor of safety which is well known in geotechnical engineering. All of above are meaningful to evaluated the slope stability and provide a new and simple numerical approach.