FEM Strength Reduction and Its Application in Rockfill Dam Slope Analysis

The shortcomings of traditional slope stability analysis are pointed out, the theoretic backgrounds, dominant superiorities, and influence factors of calculation outcome, slope failure criterion and its application of FEM strength reduction method are studied,the feasibility of application FEM strength reducting method to rockfill dam slope analysis is discussed. Based on Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion, non-association flow law, the effective stress principle and the known seepage field, rockfill dam slope stability factor is obtained through strength reduction step by step until satisfying force and displacement failure criterion. Calculation results show that the critical slip location and minimum safety factor of FEM strength reduction method is consistent with classical limit equilibrium method. Case study indicates the feasibility of FEM strength reduction in rockfill dam slope analysis, and application scope of this method is enlarged.