Generalized Three‐Dimensional Slope‐Stability Analysis
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 118, Issue 11
Abstract
A 3‐D slope‐stability‐analysis method, explicitly satisfying all limiting‐equilibrium equations, is presented. To make the problem statically determinate, the variational approach, rather than intuition in 3‐D, is used. In this approach, the normal stress over the user's specified slip surface, which satisfies global limiting equilibrium and produces the minimum factor of safety for the critical surface, is sought and obtained mathematically. A simple numerical scheme to attain the safety factor is detailed and all the algorithms needed to assemble a computer program are given. Upon discretization of the surface by n rectangular elements, n simultaneous linear equations are solved for n discrete normal stresses. It is also necessary to solve three nonlinear equations for the factor of safety, and the coordinate of the center of rotation It was observed that for a selected potential slip surface there may be many possible combinations of roots, all giving essentially the same The presented example problem demonstrates the importance of 3‐D back‐analysis if one is to configure in‐situ soil strength.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 118 • Issue 11 • November 1992
Pages: 1748 - 1764
Copyright
Copyright © 1992 ASCE.
History
Published online: Nov 1, 1992
Published in print: Nov 1992
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