A Review on Enhanced Stability Analyses of Soil Slopes Using Statistical Design
This chapter deals with the application of experimental design in slope stability analysis. In particular, focus of the present chapter is on the application of Box-Behnken statistical design for assessment of stability of slopes in homogeneous soil (general case), for estimation of slope stability in clay-marl deposits at the edge of Neogene basins (case study) and for the extension of grid search method for locating the critical rupture surface. Extensive statistical analysis, internal and external validation imply high estimation accuracy and reliability of developed mathematical expressions for slope safety factor and for parameters of location of critical rupture surface. Main advantages and limitations of the proposed approach are thoroughly discussed with suggestions for main directions of further research.