Sliding stability analyses of a rock slope using deterministic, semi-probabilistic and probabilistic methods

Abstract

Stability analyses of geotechnical structures in rock are traditionally performed using deterministic methods. In Europe, Eurocode7, introduced in the beginning of the 21st century, adopts limit state design and semi-probabilistic methods, using partial factors for the design of geotechnical structures. Meanwhile, reliability-based design, using probabilistic methods, is becoming more common in practical cases. The paper considers an intentionally simple case study—the analysis of a slope in a rock mass with one discontinuity, considered in a discrete way, forming a rock block to be stabilised by anchors—to compare the results obtained with the different methods. The objective is to calculate the force applied by the anchors so that the ultimate limit states of sliding of the rock block is verified. Deterministic-based design optimization considering both the traditional global safety factor approach and the partial factor approach following the Eurocode 7 are first applied. A reliability-based design optimization procedure—which takes geometrical and mechanical properties of the discontinuities as random variables—is then used, and the results are compared to the former ones. A discussion is presented concerning the consistency of the obtained results.