Reliability Applied to Slope Stability Analysis

Abstract

Formally probabilistic methods for the analysis of slope stability have had relatively little impact on practice. Many engineers are not familiar with probabilistic concepts, and it has been difficult to incorporate concepts of reliability into practice. Also, there is confusion over what reliability and probability of failure mean. The most effective applications of probabilistic methods are those involving relative probabilities of failure or illuminating the effects of uncertainties in the parameters. Attempts to determine the absolute probability of failure are much less successful. The paper describes how probabilistic descriptions of soil parameters can be derived from field and laboratory data and applied in stability analysis. The first‐order, second‐moment approach is explored and applied to the design of embankment dams. The example illustrates the relative contributions of uncertainties about different parameters to the reliability of the embankment. Reliability analysis is especially useful in establishing design values of factors of safety representing consistent risks for different types of failure.