Nonlinear Finite Element Reliability Analysis of Slope Stability

Abstract

A method of nonlinear finite element reliability analysis (FERA) of slope stability based on slip surface stress analysis is proposed in this paper. The main effort of this method lies in the calculation of gradient of stress and gradient of plastic matrix with respect to basic variables. Supposing the soil mass is elasto-plastic and meets Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion, the formulae of these gradients are deduced. The advantage of this method is that it can calculate both the reliability index and the corresponding position of slip surface.