Slope Stability Analysis Using Limit Equilibrium Method in Nonlinear Criterion

Abstract

In slope stability analysis, the limit equilibrium method is usually used to calculate the safety factor of slope based on Mohr-Coulomb criterion. However, Mohr-Coulomb criterion is restricted to the description of rock mass. To overcome its shortcomings, this paper combined Hoek-Brown criterion and limit equilibrium method and proposed an equation for calculating the safety factor of slope with limit equilibrium method in Hoek-Brown criterion through equivalent cohesive strength and the friction angle. Moreover, this paper investigates the impact of Hoek-Brown parameters on the safety factor of slope, which reveals that there is linear relation between equivalent cohesive strength and weakening factorD. However, there are nonlinear relations between equivalent cohesive strength and Geological Strength Index (GSI), the uniaxial compressive strength of intact rockσci, and the parameter of intact rockmi. There is nonlinear relation between the friction angle and all Hoek-Brown parameters. With the increase ofD, the safety factor of slopeFdecreases linearly; with the increase of GSI,Fincreases nonlinearly; whenσciis relatively small, the relation betweenFandσciis nonlinear, but whenσciis relatively large, the relation is linear; with the increase ofmi,Fdecreases first and then increases.