A simplified method for calculating the reliability of rockfill dams slope stability using nonlinear parameters

Abstract Slope Reliability analyses are widely used in geotechnical engineering. A reliability analysis of the slope stability of rockfill dams is based on the strength of the granular materials used. However, the characteristics of the shear strengths of granular materials are non-linear, so that c...

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Main Authors: Li Kangping, Zhou Heng, Li Feng, Du Jifang, Zhao Qing, Bai Yani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13523-0
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author Li Kangping
Zhou Heng
Li Feng
Du Jifang
Zhao Qing
Bai Yani
author_facet Li Kangping
Zhou Heng
Li Feng
Du Jifang
Zhao Qing
Bai Yani
author_sort Li Kangping
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Slope Reliability analyses are widely used in geotechnical engineering. A reliability analysis of the slope stability of rockfill dams is based on the strength of the granular materials used. However, the characteristics of the shear strengths of granular materials are non-linear, so that calculating the reliability index requires significantly more iterations and partial derivatives. To optimise this iterative method, an algorithm is proposed to linearise Duncan’s non-linear strength parameters. This study expands Duncan’s non-linear model using a Taylor series, and derives a relation between the strength parameters used for Duncan’s non-linear criterion and those for the Mohr–Coulomb linear criterion. In the present study, the accuracy of the linearisation algorithm was verified for a simplified slope and the proposed linearisation algorithm is coded into a computer program, STAB. The linearisation algorithm was applied to a reliability analysis of the slope stability of the rockfill used for Shuang Jiang Kou Dam in China. Results indicate that the linearized parameters yield similar reliability indices to the nonlinear parameters, demonstrating the feasibility of the approach for reliability analysis of rockfill dams. $$\Delta \overline {\varphi }$$ $$\overline {{{\varphi _0}}}$$
format Article
id doaj-art-e94b0d936eaf4b70b5152504f77d89ca
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-e94b0d936eaf4b70b5152504f77d89ca2025-08-20T04:02:46ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-13523-0A simplified method for calculating the reliability of rockfill dams slope stability using nonlinear parametersLi Kangping0Zhou Heng1Li Feng2Du Jifang3Zhao Qing4Bai Yani5Power China Northwest Engineering Corporation LimitedPower China Northwest Engineering Corporation LimitedPower China Northwest Engineering Corporation LimitedSchool of Management Science and Engineering, Shandong Technology and Business UniversityPower China Northwest Engineering Corporation LimitedPower China Northwest Engineering Corporation LimitedAbstract Slope Reliability analyses are widely used in geotechnical engineering. A reliability analysis of the slope stability of rockfill dams is based on the strength of the granular materials used. However, the characteristics of the shear strengths of granular materials are non-linear, so that calculating the reliability index requires significantly more iterations and partial derivatives. To optimise this iterative method, an algorithm is proposed to linearise Duncan’s non-linear strength parameters. This study expands Duncan’s non-linear model using a Taylor series, and derives a relation between the strength parameters used for Duncan’s non-linear criterion and those for the Mohr–Coulomb linear criterion. In the present study, the accuracy of the linearisation algorithm was verified for a simplified slope and the proposed linearisation algorithm is coded into a computer program, STAB. The linearisation algorithm was applied to a reliability analysis of the slope stability of the rockfill used for Shuang Jiang Kou Dam in China. Results indicate that the linearized parameters yield similar reliability indices to the nonlinear parameters, demonstrating the feasibility of the approach for reliability analysis of rockfill dams. $$\Delta \overline {\varphi }$$ $$\overline {{{\varphi _0}}}$$https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13523-0Rockfill damSlope stabilityNon-linear strength criterionReliability analysis
spellingShingle Li Kangping
Zhou Heng
Li Feng
Du Jifang
Zhao Qing
Bai Yani
A simplified method for calculating the reliability of rockfill dams slope stability using nonlinear parameters
Scientific Reports
Rockfill dam
Slope stability
Non-linear strength criterion
Reliability analysis
title A simplified method for calculating the reliability of rockfill dams slope stability using nonlinear parameters
title_full A simplified method for calculating the reliability of rockfill dams slope stability using nonlinear parameters
title_fullStr A simplified method for calculating the reliability of rockfill dams slope stability using nonlinear parameters
title_full_unstemmed A simplified method for calculating the reliability of rockfill dams slope stability using nonlinear parameters
title_short A simplified method for calculating the reliability of rockfill dams slope stability using nonlinear parameters
title_sort simplified method for calculating the reliability of rockfill dams slope stability using nonlinear parameters
topic Rockfill dam
Slope stability
Non-linear strength criterion
Reliability analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13523-0
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