Slope stability analysis using elastic finite element stress fields

The finite element limit equilibrium method (FELEM) is increasingly used in slope stability analyses. The greatest advantage of the FELEM is its time-saving analysis process, which does not require the iterative strength reduction process used in the strength reduction finite element method. The conventional FELEM calculates stresses using the finite element method with the elastic-perfectly plastic Mohr-Coulomb model and searches for the critical slip surface with the minimum safety factor. To further enhance and broaden the applicability of the FELEM, a 2D and 3D slope stability FELEM using elastic finite element stress fields is proposed. Five typical soil slope problems, a 2D rock slope problem involving a nonlinear failure model and a 3D shallow slope problem are adopted to validate the proposed FELEM. The results indicate that this method can be applied to solve various slope problems.