Stability Charts for Pseudostatic Stability Analysis of 3D Homogeneous Soil Slopes Using Strength Reduction Finite Element Method

Abstract

This paper uses the modified strength reduction finiteelement method to propose stability charts for pseudostatic stability analysis of three dimensional(3D)homogeneoussoilslopessubjectedtoseismicexcitation.These charts are developed inawiderange of input parameters for purely cohesive slopes and cohesive-frictional slopes, respectively. Effect of the horizontal seismic load is approximately considered using the quasistatic approach.The stability charts allow to determine the factor of safety without any iterative procedure and identify the corresponding criticalslope failure mechanism.Aslopeexampleisemployedtoillustratethe application and reliability of these stability charts.