International Centre for Computational Engineering
Abstract
The paper discusses the methods for the calculation of the factor of safety, Fs, of a
nonhomogenious loaded soil (and/or rock) mass in relation to Limit Equilibrium (EQU) and
refers to the senior author’s own computer programs to solve these problems involved in
Engineering Design Practice. To complement general programs for the traditional slices
methods, new methods are presented and programmed: The “Rigid Blocks Methods” (RBM)
for 2D and 3D situations. RBM are based on the creation of self-equilibrating structural
systems inside the sliding ground mass. This generalization allows the treatment of problems
such as the stability of excavations for tunnels in addition to the stability of slopes. A number
of examples are presented using the authors PC MATLAB programs based on the generalized
method of slices and on the new RBM Methods. Comparisons of results with published Fs
obtained by other authors and those obtained by FEM are provided. The Rigid Blocks Method
gave values for Fs close to published values. However, many more tests and comparisons are
needed. Also, the 3D Rigid Blocks Method is promising, mainly for 3D situations such as the
stability of the front face in tunnels excavations.Este trabalho foi financiado pelo FEDER através do Programa Operacional Factores
de Competitividade — COMPETE e por fundos Portugueses através da FCT — Fundação para a
Ciência e a Tecnologia pelo Projeto PEst-C/MAT/UI0013/2011
