Slope Stability Evaluations by Limit Equilibrium and Finite Element Methods Applied to a Railway in the Moroccan Rif

Abstract

Since 1930, the analysis of slope stability is done according to the limit equilibrium approach. Several methods were developed of which certain remain applicable because of their simplicity. However, major disadvantages of these methods are (1) they do not take into account the soil behavior and (2) the complex cases cannot be studied with precision. The use of the finite elements in calculations of stability has to overcome the weakness of the traditional methods. An analysis of stability was applied to a slope, of complex geometry, composed of alternating sandstone and marls using finite elements and limit equilibrium methods. The calculation of the safety factors did not note any significant difference between the two approaches. Various calculations carried out illustrate perfectly benefits that can be gained from modeling the behavior by the finite elements method. In the finite elements analysis, the shape of deformations localization in the slope is nearly circular and confirms the shape of the failure line which constitutes the basic assumption of the analytical methods. The integration of the constitutive laws of soils and the use of field’s results tests in finite elements models predict the failure mode, to better approach the real behavior of slope soil formations and to optimize its reinforcement.