A Comparative Study and Computer Coding of Limit Equilibrium-Based Slope Stability Analysis Techniques
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Date
2003-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
General slope stability concepts and the parameters and major considerations associated with
slope stability problems are discussed. General features and theories of some of the available
methods of analysis such as limit equilibrium methods, limit analysis methods, finite element
method, etc. are reviewed.
Special emphasis is made to the limit equilibrium slope stability analysis techniques based on
the method of slices. The underlying principles, common features and assumptions employed
by these methods are elaborated. The various commonly used methods of slope stability
analysis based on the limit equilibrium principles are then thoroughly assessed, compared and
contrasted.
These common limit equilibrium based methods of analysis, including Bishop’s simplified
method, Janbu’s simplified method, Bishop’s rigorous method, Spencer’s/Morgenstern and
Price’s method, Janbu’s rigorous method, are formulated in a unified manner. A computer
program is then written for these selected methods, using the Visual Basic language, on the
basis of this unified formulation. The computer program has the capacity of analyzing slopes
with general-shaped slip surfaces and general loading conditions. It is also capable of
incorporating earthquake loading based on the pseudo-static analysis.
Finally, example problems are solved to illustrate the computer program developed and to
reflect on the discussions and conclusions in the literature review section. The results obtained
for the example problems, using the computer program developed and the different methods
of analyses are in close agreement with those obtained by the author’s of the original
methods.
Key Words: slope stability analysis; limit equilibrium; method of slices; factor of safety
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Keywords
slope stability analysis; limit equilibrium; method of slices; factor of safety