Seminar - Vaughan Griffiths - Slope stability analysis and risk by finite elements

Wednesday, April 9, 2003, 1.10 - 1.50 pm
Civil Engineering Lecture Room 3

Abstract

The seminar will start by briefly reviewing the power and advantages of the elasto-plastic finite element method in tackling slope stability problems, especially in non-uniform soils.

A closely related method called the Random Finite Element Method will then be described, which enables analyses to be made of slopes in which the shear strength is defined statistically. Particular attention will be paid to the role of spatial correlation, and its relationship with the level of mesh discretisation. The method enables estimates to be made of the probability of slope failure, as opposed to the classical factor of safety, and gives insight into the relationship between these two measures of stability.