Optimization Model for Determining Safety Factor and Thrust Line in Landslide Assessments

Abstract

When the limit-equilibrium method is employed in the stability assessment of complicated landslides, some eccentric results are often encountered with the use of rigorous methods. These eccentric results may be attributable to irrationally assumed interslice forces. Furthermore, engineers should verify the rationality of the thrust-line position in a landslide after the safety factor of the landslide is solved with the use of such rigorous methods. In this paper, a new global analysis method is proposed based on the Morgenstern–Price assumption for interslice forces. The global equilibrium equations, normal stresses on the sliding surface, and position of the thrust line were employed as constraint conditions to construct an optimization model. The relationships between the constraint conditions and the safety factors and thrust line were investigated through the analysis of some typical landslides with some interesting results.