Novel Model for Limit-Equilibrium Analysis of Slope Stability with a Nonlinear Strength Criterion

Abstract

Slope stability has always been a concern of the geotechnical engineering community, and geotechnical scholars have continued to explore the reasonable failure mechanism of slopes and make the theoretical models of slope stability more reliable. This work established a novel model for limit-equilibrium (LE) analysis of slope stability with a nonlinear strength criterion. In this theoretical model, the thrust line of interslice force and corresponding increment are reasonably simplified. Then, the formula of normal stress on slip surface is derived by assuming the increment of normal interslice force. Meanwhile, strength reduction technology is applied to reduce the shear strength of the geotechnical body on the slip surface with slope factor of safety (FOS) to obtain shear stress on the slip surface. Thereafter, mechanical equilibrium conditions satisfied by the whole slope sliding body and newly introduced equation about increments of interslice force are used to solve LE stability of the slope. For stability analysis of a slope with a nonlinear strength criterion via a simple and feasible calculation process, an iterative loop solution strategy is adopted in the analysis. After comparison and analysis of several slope examples, the feasibility and rationality of the present method are verified. Moreover, the present method has high efficiency in terms of calculation speed.