Time-dependent reliability analysis of unsaturated slopes under rapid drawdown with intelligent surrogate models

Acta Geotechnica - Slope stability in reservoirs depends on time-dependent triggering factors such as fluctuations of the groundwater level and precipitation. This paper assesses the stability of...     

Efficient system reliability analysis of soil slopes using multivariate adaptive regression splines-based Monte Carlo simulation

System effects should be considered in the probabilistic analysis of a layered soil slope due to the potential existence of multiple failure modes. This paper presents a system reliability analysis approach for layered soil slopes based on multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). The proposed approach is achieved in a two-phase process. First, MARS is constructed based on a group of training samples that are generated by Latin hypercube sampling (LHS). MARS is validated by a specific number of testing samples which are randomly generated per the underlying distributions. Second, the established MARS is integrated with MCS to estimate the system failure probability of slopes. Two types of multi-layered soil slopes (cohesive slope and c–φ slope) are examined to assess the capability and validity of the proposed approach. Each type of slope includes two examples with different statistics and system failure probability levels. The proposed approach can provide an accurate estimation of the system failure probability of a soil slope. In addition, the proposed approach is more accurate than the quadratic response surface method (QRSM) and the second-order stochastic response surface method (SRSM) for slopes with highly nonlinear limit state functions (LSFs). The results show that the proposed MARS-based MCS is a favorable and useful tool for the system reliability analysis of soil slopes.     

Multimodal reliability analysis of 3D slopes with a genetic algorithm

Acta Geotechnica - This paper presents a genetic algorithm (GA) to solve the multimodal optimisation problem resulting from 3D slopes prone to multiple regions of failure. A probabilistic approach...     

Three-dimensional reliability analysis of earth slopes

Reliability of cohesive soil slopes is assessed using a three-dimensional (3D) probabilistic stability analysis algorithm. Spatial variability of soil properties is represented by an anisotropic random field. Parametric studies are performed for a typical earth structure. The influence of the model parameters, including expected value, variance and correlation distance of soil shear strength, on the reliability associated to particular failure mechanisms is evaluated. The effect on reliability of the dimensions and shape of potential slip surfaces for a given random field is also assessed. It is shown that the mechanisms that contribute most significantly to global probability of failure of the slope may be quite different from those identified as critical by standard deterministic evaluations assuming soil homogeneity. Some practical implications of this fact are discussed.     

土质边坡三维可靠度分析

基于空间随机场理论,利用局部平均法研究空间各向异性的土坡的可靠度问题,推导出相应计算公式,并通过计算边坡的最大破坏概率来进行滑坡的空间预测。     

边坡模糊随机可靠性分析

为合理描述边坡稳定性分析中存在的多种不确定性,应同时考虑随机和模糊两种因素带来的影响.用L-R型模糊数描述随机变量的均值和方差,建立了模糊随机可靠性分析模型.为简化计算,将模糊数通过分解定理,取一系列λ截集,转换为一系列区间数进行计算.在一次二阶矩法基础上,推导了基于瑞典条分法及毕肖普法计算模糊随机可靠度的具体公式.算例表明,该法是合理实用的.     

Efficient system reliability analysis of rock slopes based on Subset simulation

How to efficiently assess the system reliability of rock slopes is still challenging. This is because when the probability of failure is low, a large number of deterministic slope stability analyses are required. Based on Subset simulation, this paper proposes an efficient approach for the system reliability analysis of rock slopes. The correlations among multiple potential failure modes are properly accounted for with the aid of the “max” and “min” functions. A benchmark rock slope and a real engineered rock slope with multiple correlated failure modes are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

Identification of representative slip surfaces for reliability analysis of soil slopes based on shear strength reduction

Although a slope may have numerous potential slip surfaces, its failure probability is often governed by several representative slip surfaces (RSSs). Previous efforts mainly focus on the identification of circular RSSs based on limit equilibrium methods. In this paper, a method is suggested to identify RSSs of arbitrary shape based on the shear strength reduction method. Monte Carlo simulation is used to generate a large number potential slip surfaces. The RSSs are identified through analyzing the failure domains represented by these samples. A kriging-based response surface model is employed to enhance the computational efficiency. These examples shows that the RSSs may not always be circular, and that the suggested method can effectively locate the RSSs without making prior assumptions about the shape of the slip surfaces. For the examples investigated, the system failure probabilities computed based on the shear strength reduction method are comparable to, but not the same as those computed based on the limit equilibrium methods. The suggested method significantly extends our capability for identifying non-circular RSSs and hence probabilistic slope stability analysis involving non-circular slip surfaces.     

考虑参数空间变异性多层土坡系统可靠度分析

多层土坡在岩土工程实际中十分常见,不仅土体参数存在一定的空间变异性,而且土体框架呈现明显的层状分布特征,然而目前对考虑土体参数空间变异性的多层土坡稳定可靠度研究的远远不够。提出了基于多重响应面边坡系统可靠度分析的蒙特卡洛模拟（MCS）方法,给出了计算流程图,系统地研究了考虑土体参数空间变异性的多层土坡系统可靠度问题。结果表明,提出方法能够有效地分析考虑参数空间变异性低失效概率水平的多层土坡系统可靠度问题,并且具有较高的参数敏感性分析计算效率。     

基于多重响应面法的空间变异土坡系统可靠度分析

空间变异土坡可靠度问题应该视为系统可靠度问题,多重响应面法为高效、准确地对其进行求解提供了一条有效途径。针对单一滑面确定了合理的空间变异土坡安全系数的响应面形式,并探讨了可靠度分析精度和随机场离散精度间的近似线性关系。建立基于大量潜在滑面的多重响应面,计算系统失效概率,并识别其中的代表性滑面。通过两个土坡算例验证所提方法的有效性。结果表明:随着空间变异性的增强,土坡可靠度的系统性增强,单一滑面的失效概率将显著低估土坡整体失效概率;通过控制随机场离散精度,可以事先保证一定的可靠度分析精度,从而有效地避免离散出过多并不重要的随机变量;合理地选择多重响应面形式有利于进一步提高计算效率和计算精度;多重响应面法可以同时分析所有潜在滑面的失效概率以及系统失效概率,并识别出代表性滑面,为边坡防治提供参考。     

基于克里金模型的边坡稳定可靠度分析方法

边坡工程的复杂性不仅表现为各岩土参数的变异性和非确定性,而且还在于其极限状态功能函数的非解析性及隐式性。以Janbu 法为例,研究了隐式功能函数下易于执行的边坡工程稳定可靠度计算方法。首先,调用边坡极限平衡模式获得岩土基本参数,并利用拉丁超立方试验设计抽取影响边坡稳定性基本参数的适量初始样本。其次,采用地质统计学中的克里金（Kriging）各向异性关联映射方法,将边坡功能函数值表述为随机过程。然后,结合主动学习方法,基于搜索规则调整训练样本,通过反复迭代循环确定满足实际工程精度的随机过程所表示的边坡功能函数。最后,调用随机过程函数通过验算点法（JC法）获得边坡的失效概率。工程算例分析表明,文中方法的求解精度与蒙特卡洛模拟方法相当,但计算过程简明,效率高,更具工程实用性。     

双滑块边坡锚固系统时变可靠性分析

考虑锚杆锚固段从岩体中拔出、拉杆拉断、拉杆从注浆体中拔出等失效模式,利用系统可靠性原理和极限平衡分析方法,并基于Monte-Carlo抽样原理提出双滑块岩质边坡锚固系统破坏概率的直接求解方法。同时考虑锚杆钢筋的腐蚀与软弱滑动面抗剪强度c、? 的时变性,建立了考虑锚杆多失效模式双滑块岩质边坡锚固系统的时变可靠性模型。算例计算结果表明：软弱滑动面上的强度参数c、? 的时变性和注浆体与围岩之间的抗力时变性对锚固系统的破坏概率的影响较大,而锚杆的腐蚀对锚固系统破坏概率的影响不明显。     

System reliability analysis of soil slopes with general slip surfaces using multivariate adaptive regression splines

A data driven multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) based algorithm for system reliability analysis of earth slopes having random soil properties under the framework of limit equilibrium method of slices is considered. The theoretical formulation is developed based on Spencer method (valid for general slip surfaces) satisfying all conditions of static equilibrium coupled with a nonlinear programming technique of optimization. Simulated noise is used to take account of inevitable modeling inaccuracies and epistemic uncertainties. The proposed MARS based algorithm is capable of achieving high level of computational efficiency in the system reliability analysis without significantly compromising the accuracy of results.     

Probabilistic reliability analysis of multiple slopes with genetic algorithms

Uncertainty estimation and consideration in engineering is an important practice to design reliable structures especially in geotechnics since the level of control with regards to the material parameters is relatively low. The definition of reliability indices to approximate the probability of failure allows for a better assessment of stability with fewer computations than using alternative methods. Nonetheless, yet an optimisation problem needs to be solved. In this work, a genetic algorithm is developed to solve this optimisation problem considering the limit equilibrium method to search for multiple critical failures. Study cases are presented to illustrate the capabilities of the method.     

遗传算法在土坡整体稳定性分析中的应用

边坡稳定性分析的关键是如何确定最危险滑动面的位置并计算与之相对应的安全系数。由于传统的极限平衡分析方法很容易陷入局部极小值而不能找到真正的最危险滑裂面,因此采用瑞典条分确立土坡分析模型,用遗传算法搜索土坡最危险滑动面,进而求得土坡最小安全系数。该方法模拟了生物遗传进化的过程,克服了传统方法的局限性。通过和面积细分法所搜索的最危险滑动面和计算得到的土质边坡安全系数作对比,可得遗传算法在土质边坡稳定分析中具有较高的精度与可靠性。遗传算法可以很好地解决如何寻找土质边坡整体极值的问题。工程应用实例表明,遗传算法分析土质边坡的稳定性效果良好,具有很好的应用前景。     

Three-dimensional finite element analysis for soil slopes stabilisation using piles

This paper presents the analytical methods of slope-stabilising piles using the three-dimensional (3-D) finite element (FE) analysis with the strength reduction method (SRM). This 3-D FE model is employed to overcome the limitations observed in two-dimensional (2-D) FE analysis. The solutions obtained from 3-D FE analyses are verified to be less conservative in this paper. The 3-D analysis is considered to be of particular importance to pile-slope problems. The soil that flows between piles cannot be taken account properly in the 2-D FE analysis. The method adopted in this paper can avoid the assumption of soil movement and the pressure distribution along the piles subjected to soil movement. The numerical analysis employs the Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion with the strength reduction technique for soil and an elastic member for piles. The spacing effect of the pile is considered in the 3-D model, the S/D (S: centre to centre, D: diameter of pile) ratio, equal to 4.0, is found to be equivalent to the single pile stabilisation. The middle portion of the slope is identified as the optimal location to place the piles. The proper length of the pile, which can be used to stabilise the slope, is also examined using 3-D FE analyses. It is concluded that L/H greater or equal 0.70 is recommended (L: pile length, H: slope height). The numerical analyses are conducted based on a coupled analysis, which simultaneously considers both the slope stability and the pile response. The failure mechanisms of the pile-slope system subjected to the pile locations, pile head conditions and pile length are each discussed. The contact pressure, shear force and moment along the piles are presented to illustrate the pile stabilising mechanism herein.     

非饱和土边坡稳定分析方法探讨

在对非饱和土边坡进行稳定分析时,应该全面地考虑基质吸力对边坡稳定的贡献。首先,分别探讨了基于Fredlund非饱和土强度表达式和Bishop非饱和土有效应力强度公式将强度折减有限元法推广到非饱和土边坡稳定分析中的具体方法;然后,开发了可以考虑基质吸力两种处理方法的强度折减有限元计算程序;最后,给出了一个非饱和土边坡稳定分析的对比算例,说明了二者的不同特点。     

Enhancement of random finite element method in reliability analysis and risk assessment of soil slopes using Subset Simulation

Random finite element method (RFEM) provides a rigorous tool to incorporate spatial variability of soil properties into reliability analysis and risk assessment of slope stability. However, it suffers from a common criticism of requiring extensive computational efforts and a lack of efficiency, particularly at small probability levels (e.g., slope failure probability P _f ?<?0.001). To address this problem, this study integrates RFEM with an advanced Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method called “Subset Simulation (SS)” to develop an efficient RFEM (i.e., SS-based RFEM) for reliability analysis and risk assessment of soil slopes. The proposed SS-based RFEM expresses the overall risk of slope failure as a weighed aggregation of slope failure risk at different probability levels and quantifies the relative contributions of slope failure risk at different probability levels to the overall risk of slope failure. Equations are derived for integrating SS with RFEM to evaluate the probability (P _f ) and risk (R) of slope failure. These equations are illustrated using a soil slope example. It is shown that the P _f and R are evaluated properly using the proposed approach. Compared with the original RFEM with direct MCS, the SS-based RFEM improves, significantly, the computational efficiency of evaluating P _f and R. This enhances the applications of RFEM in the reliability analysis and risk assessment of slope stability. With the aid of improved computational efficiency, a sensitivity study is also performed to explore effects of vertical spatial variability of soil properties on R. It is found that the vertical spatial variability affects the slope failure risk significantly.     

Efficient system reliability analysis illustrated for a retaining wall and a soil slope

Although first-order reliability method is a common procedure for estimating failure probability, the formulas derived for bimodal bounds of system failure probability have not been widely used as expected in present reliability analyses. The reluctance for applying these formulas in practice may be partly due to the impression that the procedures to implement the system reliability theory are tedious. Among the methods for system reliability analysis, the approach suggested in Ditlevsen 1979 is considered here because it is a natural extension of the first-order reliability method commonly used for failure probability estimation corresponding to a single failure mode, and it can often provide reasonably narrow failure probability bounds. To facilitate wider practical application, this paper provides a short program code in the ubiquitous Excel spreadsheet platform for efficiently calculating the bounds for system failure probability. The procedure is illustrated for a semi-gravity retaining wall with two failure modes, a soil slope with two and eight failure modes, and a loaded beam with three failure modes. In addition, simple equations are provided to relate the correlated but unrotated equivalent standard normals of the Low and Tang 2007 FORM procedure with the uncorrelated but rotated equivalent standard normals of the classical FORM procedure. Also demonstrated are the need for investigating different permutations of failure modes in order to get the narrowest bounds for system failure probability, and the use of SORM reliability index for system reliability bounds in a case where the curvature of the limit state surface cannot be neglected.     

基于多源试验数据空间变异土体参数概率反演及边坡可靠度更新

岩土工程现场勘察试验通常只能获得有限的试验数据,据此难以真实地量化土体参数的空间变异性。提出了考虑土体参数空间变异性的概率反演和边坡可靠度更新方法,基于室内和现场两种不同来源的试验数据概率反演空间变异参数统计特征和更新边坡可靠度水平,并给出了计算流程。此外为合理地描述土体参数先验信息,发展了不排水抗剪强度非平稳随机场模型。最后通过不排水饱和黏土边坡算例验证了提出方法的有效性,并探讨了试验数据和钻孔位置对边坡后验失效概率的影响。结果表明：提出方法实现了空间变异土体参数概率反演与边坡可靠度更新的一体化,基于有限的多源试验数据概率反演得到的土体参数均值与试验数据非常吻合,明显降低了对参数不确定性的估计,更新的边坡可靠度水平显著增加。受土体参数空间自相关性的影响,试验数据对钻孔取样点附近区域土体参数统计特征更新的影响明显大于距离取样点较远区域。