Shear strength reduction factor used in critical state models with hardening

Abstract

The slope stability analyses are important to predict environmental, financial, and human life impacts. The Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM) is commonly used to estimate a slope’s Safety Factor (SF). However, the Finite Element Method (FEM) is increasingly applied to slope stability analyses, using different approaches, among which the technique of Shear Strength Reduction (SSR) is commonly used in perfectly plastic elastic models. The objective of this study is to present a discussion about these two methodologies, using critical state models with or without hardening will be used to model the stress-strain behavior of the soil mass. The results obtained in the case study presented, using LEM and FEM considering critical state models with and without hardening are consistent and allowed verifying the stability condition of the slope. Also, the reduction factors are smaller when compared to the results using perfectly plastic elastic models.

Keywords
Shear strength reduction; Strength reduction factor; Critical state models; Safety factor