Progressive Failure Analysis of Tianshansi Slope

Abstract The physical significance of the traditional slice block method analysis of a slope is presented in this paper. The strength-softening characteristics of the geomaterial are characterized by the strength reduction coefficient of the post-failure zone of the stress–strain curve of the complete process. In the study, the transfer coefficient method (TCM) hypothesis was generalized, and the partial strength reduction method (PSRM) and perfect elastoplastic model (PEPM) were employed. The progressive failure process of a slope was simulated by the proposed generalized slice block method; a critical-stress-state determination method was proposed. The safety factor of the extended slice block method was found to be closely related to deformation of the slope, and the characteristics of the critical stress state movement were revealed by the proposed generalized sequential slice block method. The unbalanced thrust and driving sliding force gradually increase and the frictional resistance gradually decreases during deformation failure. When the last slice block is in the critical stress state, complete slope failure occurs. Taking the Tieshansi slope of Huangshi City as an example, the evolution characteristics of the physical and mechanical variables during progressive failure of the slope were revealed by the proposed generalized TCM using PSRM- and PEPM-based numerical simulations. The results show that the proposed method can describe the progressive failure process of the Tieshansi slope. The emphasis of this research is on extending the traditional strength reduction slice block method so that the results are closely related to the slope deformation.