Accuracy of Two-Dimensional Limit Equilibrium Methods in Predicting Stability of Homogenous Road-Cut Slopes

Fhatuwani Sengani and Dhiren Allopi
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Fhatuwani Sengani: Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa
Dhiren Allopi: Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334, Durban 4000, South Africa

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-26

Abstract: Although limit equilibrium methods are widely used by engineers and scientists in predicting the stability of homogenous slopes, their use has been demonstrated to present significant errors due to the violation of kinematic and static admissibility. The concern is often voiced regarding the accuracy of limit equilibrium methods (LEMs) solutions in predicting the stability of homogenous slopes. There are no exact limit equilibrium solutions or charts available that could be used to check the LEMs solutions. The present study has used the rigorous upper and lower bounds solutions of limit analysis based on finite element formulations of the bound theorems to benchmark and develop an accuracy classification chart of limit equilibrium methods in predicting the stability of the homogenous slope. Six case studies of homogenous road-cut slopes that vary with material properties were used and the effect of the increase in material strength with depth was considered. The results of LEMs and limit analysis solutions have shown that Janbu simplified limit equilibrium solutions are closely related to those of rigorous upper bound solutions with an accuracy error ranging from 1 to 7% in various slope materials. Meanwhile, the Corp of Engineer 2 limit equilibrium solutions were found to overestimate among other methods, with an accuracy error ranging from 12 to 17% in various cases. Based on the results of the study an accuracy error classification chart of LEMs is developed.

Keywords: limit equilibrium method (LEM); limit analysis; accuracy; slope stability; homogenous slopes; error accuracy classification chart (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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