Parametric study of slope stability safety factor using Finite Element Method

Slope stability analysis is one of the most important problem in Geotechnical engineering. Compared to the methods using for slope stability, numerical methods are quickly, applicable, accurately and so we able to perform parametric and comprehensive investigation of slope stability with complex conditions. The main purpose of this study is to determine the effect of geometrical and engineering properties of the soil and also mesh size on safety factor of slope stability. The computer program PLAXIS ۲D code was used which is based on the Finite Element Method (FEM). The analysis has been done using Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model. Given the absence of water table, soil mass is applied only with in-situ stresses. Considered geometrical parameters include angle of slope and size of model and engineering properties of the soil include cohesion, internal friction angle, poisson s ratio, and unit weight and young s modulus of soil. Also effect of mesh size from very coarse to very fine on FS was evaluated. According to the numerical analysis results it was found that strength parameters, geometrical parameters and unit weight of soil have a considerable effect on the safety factor (FS) of the slope. It was also noticed that the deformation parameters have no effect on the FS of slope stability.