Three-Dimensional Asymmetrical Slope Stability Analysis Extension of Bishop’s, Janbu’s, and Morgenstern–Price’s Techniques

Abstract

Most existing three-dimensional (3D) slope stability analysis methods are based on simple extensions of corresponding two-dimensional (2D) methods of analysis and a plane of symmetry or direction of slide is implicitly assumed. In this paper, 3D asymmetric slope stability models based on extensions of Bishop’s simplified, Janbu’s simplified, and Morgenstern–Price’s methods are developed. Under these new formulations, the direction of slide is unique and is determined from 3D force/moment equilibrium. Results from the new formulations are similar to the classical methods in normal cases but are numerically stable under transverse load. Further, the writers demonstrate that the present formulation is actually equivalent to the axes rotation formulation by Jiang and Yamagami but is much more convenient to be used for general problems. The writers have also discovered some inherent limitations of 3D limit equilibrium analysis which are absent in the corresponding 2D analysis.