Slope stability analysis is of particular importance to Geotechnical Engineers as slope failures can have devastating social and economic impacts. There are several software packages developed for stability analysis which utilise the Limit Equilibrium (LE) Method, Finite Element (FE) method and Finite Difference (FD) method.
The majority of published information is in regards to the slope stability analysis methods of Limit Equilibrium, Finite Element and Finite Difference and not the software packages themselves. Several studies have suggested that the FE and FD methods provide greater benefits than the LE method; however other studies have suggested that the simplicity of the LE method outweighs the complexity of the FE and FD methods.
The purpose of this research project is to compare the student versions of FLAC, PLAXIS and SLOPE/W and their use in Geotechnical stability analysis. FLAC is a software package using the FD method; PLAXIS the FE method and SLOPE/W the LE method.
From this report it can be concluded that for software packages using the FE or FD method the type of ‘mesh’ generated and utilised in calculating the FOS value has a significant effect on accuracy of the results. Due to the limit in the amount of zones allowed within the FLAC student version and in general only allowing a coarse mesh analysis it can be considered that the FOS values calculated are less accurate compared to the student versions of PLAXIS and SLOPE/W.
Each package has its own benefits and limitations and it is recommended that the users choose the package that best suits the models requirements and its complexity. The student versions should be used as an indication only and any detailed analysis requires the use of a full licensed version of the chosen software package
