3D Slope Stability Analysis by Finite Element Methods

This paper presents a method for three-dimensional slope stability analysis based on finite element technologies. In this method, a potential slip surface is implemented as interface elements coupled with the soil slope as solid elements. Stress and strain mobilization analysis to bring the potential slip surface and the sliding soil mass above the slip surface from an initial static equilibrium state to a limit equilibrium state is carried out by a coupled procedure between the interface elements and the solid elements. The coupled procedure is used to study the stress redistribution in whole soil slope caused by material yielding along a potential slip surface. The interface elements can be created by intersection calculation between the solid finite element mesh and 3D slip surface grid shape models. This paper shows two typical 3D slip surface grid shape models that can be used to simulate most slope sliding patterns under three-dimensional conditions. A three-dimensional slope stability analysis case is also presented in this paper.