Stability analysis of slopes and footings considering different dilation angles of geomaterial

The upper bound approach has been successfully applied to the analysis of two-dimensional (2-D) slopes (Donald and Chen, 1997), although some limitations on this approach still exist. The improvements of the upper bound approach presented in this thesis are conducted based on the understanding of the limitations. Chapter 1 of the thesis gives a statement of the stability problems in geotechnical engineering, objectives and organization of the thesis. Literature review in the subject area is presented in Chapter 2.; As an extension of the upper bound approach to 2-D slope stability analysis, in Chapter 3 of the thesis, a limit method is proposed and presented for analysis of 2-D slopes consisting of soils following an associated or a non-associated flow rule.; In Chapter 4, the limit method has been extended to study 2-D bearing capacity problems. Using this method, a particular equation for calculating the bearing capacity of a strip footing is derived considering various dilatancy angles of the soil.; Wedge failure is a typical three-dimensional (3-D) slope stability problem. In Chapter 5, four different methods are presented for the stability analysis of 3-D wedge problems.; In order to investigate the wedge failure mechanism further and to validate the methods in Chapter 5, a three-dimensional (3-D) finite-element (FE) model is established using the commercial software ABAQUS (1998).; In Chapter 7, a new upper bound (EMU-3D) approach (for ψ=&phis;) to three-dimensional slope stability analysis is presented. This EMU-3D approach adopts multi-prism blocks with inclined sides to represent a potential sliding mass in three dimensions.; The optimization techniques are a very important tool used in almost all limit analysis methods, especially the proposed limit methods for 2-D and 3-D analyses. Chapter 8 presents two optimization methods.; The overall summary of the work done in the thesis project and major conclusions are presented in Chapter 9. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...