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Dynamic modeling of large deformation slope failure using smoothed particle finite element method

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Abstract

In this paper, a novel node-based explicit smoothed particle finite element method (SPFEM), on the basis of the particle finite element method (PFEM) framework, is utilized to evaluate the stability of slopes and to simulate the post-failure behavior of soil. The main advantage of SPFEM in slope stability analysis lies in its capabilities to consider the whole dynamic failure process of slope and to simulate large deformation and post-failure of soils. For the stability analysis of a cohesive soil slope, the shear strength reduction technique with a kinetic energy-based criterion for distinguishing slope failure is adopted to obtain the factor of safety (FOS) of a slope, and the FOS is compared with that obtained by the classical FEM and LEM approaches for further validation. Then, the dynamic failure process of a non-cohesive granular material slope is simulated using Drucker-Prager constitutive model. The influence of friction resistance of granular material, as well as the repose angle of slope after failure, is discussed. Finally, the progressive failure behavior of a long clayey slope is modeled using SPFEM in conjunction with a strain-softening Tresca constitutive model. The retrogressive failure behavior of a long clayey slope is analyzed.

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Funding

The research is supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Grant No. 41807223 and No. 51908175) as well as the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (Nos. 2018A030310346).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Mechanics and Materials, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China

    Wei-Hai Yuan & Yuan Wang

  2. School of Civil Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China

    Kang Liu

  3. College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China

    Wei Zhang

  4. School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China

    Beibing Dai

Authors
  1. Wei-Hai Yuan
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  2. Kang Liu
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  3. Wei Zhang
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  4. Beibing Dai
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  5. Yuan Wang
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Correspondence to Wei Zhang.

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Yuan, WH., Liu, K., Zhang, W. et al. Dynamic modeling of large deformation slope failure using smoothed particle finite element method. Landslides 17, 1591–1603 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-020-01375-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-020-01375-w

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