Slope stability analysis with LimitState:GEO is as straightforward as the conventional 'method of slices', but provides the power and flexibility of the Discontinuity Layout Optimization (DLO)  method to find the critical slip surface even if highly non-circular, or includes retaining walls, piles or reinforcement such as in the reinforced slope problem illustrated below.

Simplicity

LimitState:GEO uses rigorous Limit Analysis techniques rather than the more approximate Limit Equilibrium approach commonly used with slope stability software (e.g. method of slices). The result is that solutions are typically much more straightforward to obtain, with no need to specify entry/exit points, solution method, interslice shear-normal force functions or a search space.

Key features

• Water table specification, including r_u coefficient.
• Mohr-Coulomb soil strength models
• Tension cracks
• Soil reinforcement directly modelled
• Seismic loading capability

Comparison with conventional method of slices

For simple cases, the method of slices is known to give generally good results.  LimitState:GEO has been benchmarked against a range of solutions available in the literature and compares closely, typically to within a few percent. To find out more, visit the verification pages. For more complex problems it will usually be found that LimitState:GEO finds a more critical mechanism than can normally be found using the method of slices.

Further Reading

Find out more about using LimitState:GEO for slope stability in the application notes on principles of slope stability limit analysis (pdf version) and a worked example of a slope stability problem using LimitState:GEO.