A general limit equilibrium model for three-dimensional slope stability analysis

1993 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 905-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Lam ◽  
D.G. Fredlund

A generalized model for three-dimensional analysis, using the method of columns, is presented. The model is an extension of the two-dimensional general limit equilibrium formulation. Intercolumn force functions of arbitrary shape can be specified to simulate various directions for the intercolumn resultant forces. A unique feature of the model involves the use of a geostatistical procedure (i.e., the Kriging technique) in modelling the geometry of the slope, the stratigraphy, the potential slip surface, and the pore-water pressure conditions. The technique simplifies the data-input procedure and expedites the column discretization and the factor of safety computations. The shape of the intercolumn force functions was investigated for several slope geometries using a three-dimensional finite element stress analysis. The significance of the intercolumn force functions in three-dimensional stability analyses was also studied. The model was utilized to study a case history involving an open-pit mining failure. The results indicate that the model is able to provide a more realistic simulation of the case history than was possible using a conventional two-dimensional model. Key words : stability analysis, general limit equilibrium, three-dimensional, method of columns, factor of safety.

2011 ◽  
Vol 261-263 ◽  
pp. 1465-1469
Author(s):  
Lan Jia ◽  
Lan Zhu Cao ◽  
Zi Ling Song

As the complexity and the tall of open pit slope, two-dimensional slope stability analysis methods have been unable to meet the needs of the accuracy of stability analysis. Therefore, for the complex situation of Pingzhuang open pit slope, use with three-dimensional rigid body limit equilibrium method to analysisstability of slope.slope3D system, which consists of pre-treatment, limit equilibrium analysis solver and post-processing, the first processing core is to construct three-dimensional geological model of the slope, post-processing mainly results analysis and visualization graphics. The system combined organically the slope engineering geological information three-dimensional visualization and the analysis of stability, which make us to determine the landslide model, reveal the mechanism of landslide more accurately. Make an important contribution for ensuring safety in open pit production, a good foundation for slope stability analysis of other open pit.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masagus Ahmad Azizi ◽  
Irfan Marwanza ◽  
Muhammad Kemal Ghifari ◽  
Afiat Anugrahadi

The 3-dimensional slope stability analysis has been developing rapidly since the last decade, and currently a number of geomechanical researchers in the world have put forward ideas for optimization of slope design related to the economics and safety of mining operations. The 3-dimensional slope stability analysis methods has answered the assumption of spatial parameters in determining safety factors and the failure probability, thus the volume of failed material and the location of the most critical slopes can be determined. This chapter discusses two methods of 3-dimensional slope stability analysis, namely the limit equilibrium method (LEM) and finite element method (FEM). LEM 3D requires an assumption of failure type with the variable of analysis are the maximum number of columns, the amount of grid points, increment radius, and type of slip surface. On the other hand, FEM 3D requires an assumption of convergence type, absolute force and energy, with the variable of analysis are mesh type and maximum number of iterations. LEM 3D shows that the cuckoo algorithm is reliable in obtaining position and shape of slip surface. Meanwhile FEM 3D, the optimum iteration number needs to be considered to improve analysis efficiency and preserving accuracy.


1988 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 735-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zu-Yu Chen ◽  
Chang-Ming Shao

This paper explores the feasibility of using optimization methods to search for the minimum factor of safety in slope stability analysis. The routine procedure includes comparing a number of admissible surfaces that are basically selected by random searches. Low efficiency and unreliability are the problems commonly encountered.Optimization methods allow a mathematically rigorous and reliable search for the minimum factor of safety and its associated "critical slip surfaces." This paper employs simplex, steepest descent, and Davidon – Fletcher – Powell (DFP) methods. The results of a number of test problems, in conjunction with closed-form and grid search solutions, showed that all the above-mentioned methods can provide reasonable results. Case history analyses supported the feasibility of the methods. Modifications to the DFP method were found to be essential for successful implementation of the minimization procedure. Key words: slope stability, landslide, analysis, limit equilibrium, interslice forces, factor of safety, spline function, optimization methods, case history.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Xiao-ming Liu ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
Jie Han ◽  
Sha Chen

Axisymmetric concave slopes, one special type of three-dimensional (3D) slopes, may be encountered in mining and civil engineering practice. Analysis of 3D slopes is generally complex and mostly relies on complicated numerical simulations. This paper proposes an elastoplastic solution for determining the additional shear resistances due to spatial effects of axisymmetric concave slopes. By incorporating the extra antislide forces, this paper proposes a simplified two-dimensional (2D) limit equilibrium procedure for the stability analysis of axisymmetric concave slopes. Combined with an iteration algorithm, the procedure can obtain the factors of safety for axisymmetric concave slopes in a simple and efficient way. Comparisons of the results from the proposed method and the numerical software FLAC3D are performed to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method for practical applications. Finally, the effects of several key parameters on the stability of axisymmetric concave slopes are investigated through a parametric study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-136
Author(s):  
Gilson de Farias Neves Gitirana Jr. ◽  
João Paulo Tavares Souza ◽  
Nícolas Rodrigues Moura

RESUMO: A falha da Barragem de Fundão, o maior desastre de seu tipo no mundo, foi estudada por Morgenstern et al. (2016) através de abordagens bidimensionais. A investigação realizada não apontou mecanismos de instabilidade de taludes como sendo as causas do desastre. No entanto, o formato complexo da face da barragem, com regiões côncavas e convexas, não foi considerado devido às limitações das ferramentas empregadas. Este trabalho apresenta análises bidimensionais (2D) e tridimensionais (3D), teoricamente mais rigorosas e adequadas para a geometria da barragem. As análises de estabilidade do maciço foram realizadas utilizando o Método Geral das Fatias e das Colunas (GLE), por meio do software SVSLOPE. Foram realizadas buscas por superfícies críticas 2D e 3D, ao longo de todas as zonas da estrutura. Considerando-se parâmetros de resistência drenada, observou-se que Fundão se encontraria em condições de elevada segurança, sendo o menor Fator de Segurança igual a 1,744. Valores próximos de 1,0 foram obtidos considerando rejeitos na condição não drenada, supostamente menos representativa das condições reais de campo. Os Fatores de Segurança 3D se mostraram muito próximos dos 2D, porém com variações significativas nas regiões côncava e convexa. Desta forma, conclui-se que o formato próximo à região do recuo exige maior atenção e análises 3D podem identificar as regiões críticas. ABSTRACT: The failure of the Fundão Dam, the largest disaster of its kind in the world, was studied by Morgenstern et al. (2016) using two-dimensional approaches. The carried out investigation did not point to mechanisms of slope instability as the causes of the disaster. However, the complex shape of the dam and its concave and convex regions were not originally considered due to limitations of the analysis tools employed. This paper presents two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) analyses that are more rigorous and well suited for the Fundão dam geometry. Slope stability analyses were accomplished using the General Limit Equilibrium Method of Slices and Columns (GLE) using the SVSLOPE software. Critical slip surfaces were searched in 2D and 3D, across the entire dam face. Drained shear strength parameters led to Factors of Safety that would indicate fairly stable conditions, with a lowest Factor of Safety of 1.744. Values close to 1.0 were obtained considering undrained conditions of the tailings, which are supposedly less representative of field conditions. The 3D factors of safety were very close to the 2D values, but with noticeably higher variations near the concave and convex regions. This leads to the conclusion that the dam shape near the setback region requires closer examination by means of 3D analyses that enable the identification of critical zones.


Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Sitarenios ◽  
Francesca Casini

This paper presents a three-dimensional slope stability limit equilibrium solution for translational planar failure modes. The proposed solution uses Bishop’s average skeleton stress combined with the Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion to describe soil strength evolution under unsaturated conditions while its formulation ensures a natural and smooth transition from the unsaturated to the saturated regime and vice versa. The proposed analytical solution is evaluated by comparing its predictions with the results of the Ruedlingen slope failure experiment. The comparison suggests that, despite its relative simplicity, the analytical solution can capture the experimentally observed behaviour well and highlights the importance of considering lateral resistance together with a realistic interplay between mechanical parameters (cohesion) and hydraulic (pore water pressure) conditions.


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