Rapid Identification of Critical Slip Surfaces: Structure

Abstract

Nearly all limit equilibrium‐based computer programs for slope stability analysis are able to search for the critical slip surface and the associated minimum factor of safety. However, the vast majority of these programs use relatively inefficient search routines. A structure is developed to enable a more robust search algorithm—the simplex method of Nelder and Mead—to be readily incorporated into any existing limit equilibrium‐based slope stability program. An application is provided to illustrate that the simplex‐based search algorithm is accurate, efficient, and quite reliable. Extensions to other problems in geotechnical analysis and design also are described.