Slope stability analysis

Slope stability analysis is a static or dynamic, analytical or empirical method to evaluate the <a href="/facts/Stability_of_slopes/wXBP0608">stability of slopes</a> of soil- and rock-fill dams, embankments, excavated slopes, and natural slopes in soil and rock. 
It is performed to assess the safe design of a human-made or natural <a href="/facts/Slope/a2L3k0j5">slopes</a> (e.g. <a href="/facts/Embankment_(transportation)/zuU0oRYD">embankments</a>, <a href="/facts/Road_cut/TVrtluPN">road cuts</a>, <a href="/facts/Open-pit_mining/IvTLjU41">open-pit mining</a>, excavations, <a href="/facts/Landfill/7K4efGgz">landfills</a> etc.) and the equilibrium conditions. <a href="/facts/Slope_stability/8eRhdoTL">Slope stability</a> is the resistance of inclined surface to <a href="/facts/Failure/hhLBhlhN">failure</a> by <a href="/facts/Landslide/sXSzA31e">sliding</a> or collapsing. The main objectives of slope stability analysis are finding endangered areas, investigation of potential failure mechanisms, determination of the slope sensitivity to different triggering mechanisms, designing of optimal slopes with regard to <a href="/facts/Safety/jyH5HLSg">safety</a>, <a href="/facts/Reliability_engineering/cd6AS5w3">reliability</a> and <a href="/facts/Economics/HYctA2Dn">economics</a>, and designing possible remedial measures, e.g. barriers and <a href="/facts/Stabilization_(architecture)/T2IJwUyX">stabilization</a>.
Successful <a href="/facts/Design/kR4GNeja">design</a> of the slope requires <a href="/facts/Geological/WGvVRIYF">geological</a> information and site characteristics, e.g. properties of <a href="/facts/Soil/5Ddpr3QM">soil</a>/<a href="/facts/Rock_(geology)/FXCJkmop">rock</a> mass, slope <a href="/facts/Geometry/wTQf5ffQ">geometry</a>, <a href="/facts/Groundwater/JYM2IDS2">groundwater</a> conditions, alternation of materials by <a href="/facts/Faulting/0Fw2ladx">faulting</a>, <a href="/facts/Joint_(geology)/Y78Q9UbK">joint</a> or <a href="/facts/Fracture_(geology)/qXCBP20K">discontinuity</a> systems, movements and <a href="/facts/Tension_(physics)/waNGYp3a">tension</a> in joints, earthquake activity etc. The presence of water has a detrimental effect on slope stability. Water pressure acting in the pore spaces, fractures or other discontinuities in the materials that make up the pit slope will reduce the strength of those materials.
Choice of correct analysis technique depends on both site conditions and the potential mode of failure, with careful consideration being given to the varying <a href="/facts/Strength_of_materials/CE77cUcB">strengths</a>, weaknesses and limitations inherent in each <a href="/facts/Methodology/dk5X9Hxx">methodology</a>.
Before the <a href="/facts/Computer_age/PJUfNEx5">computer age</a> stability analysis was performed graphically or by using a hand-held calculator. Today <a href="/facts/Engineer/ph4TnHnG">engineers</a> have a lot of possibilities to use analysis <a href="/facts/Software/RP79lVSW">software</a>, ranges from simple limit equilibrium techniques through to computational limit analysis approaches (e.g. <a href="/facts/Finite_element_limit_analysis/C90CmLbL">Finite element limit analysis</a>, <a href="/facts/Discontinuity_layout_optimization/WX4I6vo6">Discontinuity layout optimization</a>) to complex and sophisticated <a href="/facts/Numerical_analysis/QT9cYa9z">numerical solutions</a> (<a href="/facts/Finite_element_method/eUcfP1vn">finite-</a>/<a href="/facts/Discrete_element_method/NYe767oa">distinct</a>-element codes). The engineer must fully understand limitations of each technique. For example, limit equilibrium is most commonly used and simple solution method, but it can become inadequate if the slope fails by complex mechanisms (e.g. internal <a href="/facts/Deformation_(mechanics)/xK7R59oI">deformation</a> and <a href="/facts/Brittle_fracture/nxDNAj0d">brittle fracture</a>, progressive <a href="/facts/Creep_(deformation)/6GtcMsBt">creep</a>, <a href="/facts/Soil_liquefaction/2Cfdc4XQ">liquefaction</a> of weaker soil layers, etc.). In these cases more sophisticated <a href="/facts/Numerical_analysis/QT9cYa9z">numerical modelling</a> techniques should be utilised. Also, even for very simple slopes, the results obtained with typical limit equilibrium methods currently in use (Bishop, Spencer, etc.) may differ considerably. In addition, the use of the <a href="/facts/Risk_assessment/vlG9Uf0h">risk assessment</a> concept is increasing today. Risk assessment is concerned with both the consequence of slope failure and the <a href="/facts/Probability/fgYvMhwb">probability</a> of failure (both require an understanding of the failure mechanism).

Slope stability analysis open-in-new

Slope stability analysis