Safety Analysis of Slopes

TLDR: In this paper, a problem in slope stability which is designed by a set of procedures deemed representative of current practice is considered, and various uncertainties and errors are evaluated from published research results, and are used to compute the failure probability of slopes designed according to the conventional practice.

Abstract: Recent research on soil properties and analysis of slope stability have thrown light on the uncertainties and errors of many assumptions that are commonly adopted in practice. This study considers a problem in slope stability which is designed by a set of procedures deemed representative of current practice. This is called the conventional practice. The various uncertainties and errors are evaluated from published research results, and are used to compute the failure probability of slopes designed according to the conventional practice. Statistical decision theory is used to obtain the optimum safety factor and the expected cost. The results also show the effect of uncertainties on the optimum design and the expected cost. This study illustrates one approach in the application of research results to practice and the evaluation of benefits gained from research.