An Improved Search Strategy for the Critical Slip Surface using Finite Element Stress Fields

Abstract

The finite element method can be used to advantage in slope stability problems. This paper proposes a technique to search for the critical slip surface as well as to define and calculate the factor of safety for the slope, when the finite element method is used to model its formation. First, stresses are estimated at each Gaussian point from the finite element analysis. Then, the global stress smoothing method is applied to get a continuous stress field. Based on this stress field, the factor of safety is calculated for a specified slip surface by a stress integration scheme. An improved search strategy is proposed for a noncircular critical surface which starts with a search method for a circular critical surface. During the search process, points defining a trial slip surface can freely move in the finite element mesh subject to some kinematical constraints. This method can be applied to both the limit equilibrium method and the finite element method. Effects of the slope stress history and soil parameters on the resulting critical surface are investigated. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.