Application And Amelioration Of Limit Equilibrium Theory On The Slope Stability Of Earth Dam

As a frequent type of dam, the earth dam accounts for a large proportion of mideum and small-scale hydraulic projects. However, the earth dam is also a type most liable to accidents, among which the slipe is the dominant cause. Therefore, it is important for the earth dam to select an appropriate analysis on the slope stability.Among various analyses on the slope stability of earth dam, there are two primary categories, namely the slice method based on the limit equilibrium theory and numerical calculation method based on theory of elasticity and plasticity. As the major calculation method stipulated by current embankment dam design specification, the slice method owns the advantages of definitive mechanical concept, simplicity, practicality, and rich experiences from long project application. However, because it dose not take the stree-strain relation and actual operating state of the soil into consideration, neither the internal force between slices nor reaction on the bottom of the slices calculated by it can reflect the real internal force or reaction of the slope under actual operating condition, which is a"inborn deficiency". And various numerical calculation methods represented by the finite element method can properly make up such deficiency. Due to its prominent advantage of application to non-linear, heterogeneous and complex boundary, it can solve the stress deformation problem of soil better. However, in current specification, the safety factor of the earth dam is determined according to the limit equilibrium theory, which is a key deficiency of these numerical calculation...