Slope stability analysis is a challenging task when complex stratigraphies, complex geometries and spatially variably soil parameters are considered. Numerical methods, such as the finite element method are commonly used in slope stability analyses, however, these methods require significant user input when meshing geometries consisting of heterogeneous and spatially variable materials. This paper presents a numerical technique combining the scaled boundary finite element method and image-based meshing for slope stability analysis. The inputs for the analyses require images detailing the stratigraphy and the spatial variation of the material properties. Quadtree decomposition is applied to simultaneously generate meshes and consider the spatial variation of material properties directly from the images through a mapping technique. The stability of slopes is analysed assuming an elastoplastic Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model for the soil. The shear strength reduction technique is applied to evaluate the shear reduction factor iteratively to define the factor of safety of the slope. Coal slopes at Yallourn open-pit mine, Victoria, Australia was considered, forming the basis of a case study to demonstrate the applicability of the presented method.

Item Type:	Refereed Conference Paper
Keywords:	Slope Stability; SBFEM; Spatial Variation; Image-Based Meshing
Research Division:	Engineering
Research Group:	Civil engineering
Research Field:	Civil geotechnical engineering
Objective Division:	Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards
Objective Group:	Natural hazards
Objective Field:	Geological hazards (e.g. earthquakes, landslides and volcanic activity)
UTAS Author:	Dyson, AP (Dr Ashley Dyson)
ID Code:	153646
Year Published:	2022
Deposited By:	Engineering
Deposited On:	2022-09-29
Last Modified:	2023-01-09
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