Assessment of slope stability with study parametric of faults (shear joints) using the lower and upper limit analysis method

Abstract

Slope instability is widespread throughout the world, has become well known to geotechnical engineers, and poses a major challenge. The causes of slope slippage vary, which is why it is considered important and dangerous. Until now, researchers are trying to understand this phenomenon and the extent to which it is affected by surrounding elements, such as the slope ratio, slope height, water level, soil properties, and other physical and chemical properties. In this research, we will discuss one of the characteristics, which is the presence of cracks on slopes. The presence of combined shear on slopes poses a challenge to geotechnical engineers to determine field mechanical parameters, analyze, and study these slopes. In this research, we studied the effect of faulting on slopes. We changed the crack in the slope in five cases, and in each case we changed the length of the crack (21.5 m, 16.2 m, 11.2 m, 7.5 m, 3.5 m) and its location (five places) in order to understand a fracture. Slope behavior as a result of the effect of crack length and location on the safety factor, failure of the slope surface, and deformations of this slope using the top and bottom analysis method. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of fault zones on slope stability using OptumG2 software. It is helpful for us to use these results to better understand slope sliding, and from this, we can reduce the risk of sliding in areas where cracked soil is present.