Slope Stability Analysis of Jiu-Fen Using Finite Element Method and Limit Equilibrium Method

Abstract

This study simulates the slope stability at Jiu-Fen, using the limit equilibrium method and the finite element method. The limit equilibrium method can find potential slide surfaces and safety factors rapidly. The advantage of the finite element method is that it utilizes more reasonable soil behavior and boundary conditions. A critical slide surface obtained by the limit equilibrium method can be compared with the displacement vector, stress field and location of plastic zone obtained by the finite element method. Furthermore, we can compare the safety factors produced by the two methods. This study shows that the safety factor from the limit equilibrium method is higher than that from the finite element method. The displacement analysis by the finite element method agrees well with the progressive slope failure. So, if we combine the two methods using monitored data in the field, we can analyze slope stability clearly.