Effects of geometries on three-dimensional slope stability

TLDR

This study examines how complex geometries affect 3D slope stability using an elastoplastic finite difference method with a strength reduction technique. The authors modeled over 180 slope cases with varying gradients and boundary conditions using the elastoplastic FDM and strength reduction technique, analyzing each configuration in detail. The analysis reveals that various geometric configurations significantly influence factors of safety, slip surfaces, and deformed meshes, yielding surprising results that can inform landslide hazard preparedness and the economical design of infrastructure such as excavations and embankments.

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effects of complex geometries on three-dimensional (3D) slope stability using an elastoplastic finite difference method (FDM) with a strength reduction technique. A series of special 3D slopes with various geometric configurations, including curving slope surface, turning corners, turning arcs, and turning forms, is presented in terms of factor of safety, shear slip surface, and deformed mesh. More than 180 cases with various geometries for different slope gradient (90°, 45°, and 26.57°) under different boundary conditions (smooth–smooth, rough–smooth, and rough–rough) are calculated and discussed in detail. Many interesting results are obtained and some of them appear to be surprising. These results can be used directly to offer suggestions for landslide hazard preparedness or safe and economical design of infrastructures, e.g., excavations, embankments, and so on.