Slope Stability Analysis Based on the Numerical Manifold Method and the Graph Theory-Case Study Evaluation

Abstract

Contemporary major methods among the most common and traditional methods for soil and rock slope stability analysis are the limit equilibrium method and the strength reduction methods. Both methods are based on the limit equilibrium conditions. However, the limit equilibrium methods are limited to the stiff body assumption, while the strength reduction method has expansive calculations and simulation progresses. In this study, a search algorithm is proposed to access the critical slip surface and safety factor. The numerical manifold method, which based on existing stress, is used to analysis and obtain the stress distribution of soil and rock slopes cut by joints. Based on the stress results obtained, a graph theory is used to convert the solution of the critical slip surface to a shortest path problem, which can be directly solved by the Bellman–Ford algorithm. This method can completely remove the rigid body assumptions in the limit equilibrium method and reduce computations which existing in the strength reduction methods.