Complexity of limit equilibrium based slope reliability problems

Abstract

This study addresses the complexity of slope reliability problems based on limit equilibrium methods (LEM). The main focus is on the existence of multiple failure modes that poses difficulty to many LEM-based slope reliability methods. In particular, when weak seams are present, the failure modes associated with those seams may be difficult to detect. A systematic way of searching the failure modes is proposed, and its robustness over slopes with weak seams is demonstrated. It is found that in the presence of weak seams, assuming circular slip surfaces may cause underestimation of slope failure probability. © 2010 ASCE.