Analysis of Slope Stability in Rock Masses Comparing the Limit Equilibrium Method and the Finite Element Method

Abstract

Translator The objective of this research is to carry out the analysis of slope stability in rock masses by comparing the limit equilibrium method and the finite element method in the unstable sector from km 5+000 to km 5+250, of the San Miguel – Llapa, province of San Miguel, Cajamarca. 04 rock slopes were evaluated, evaluating using the two methods and identifying their differences with respect to the estimation of the safety factors, in order to make a better choice when choosing between one analysis method and the other, for an efficient analysis. As a result of the analysis using the limit equilibrium method, safety factors lower than the minimum allowed were determined, varying from 0.991 to 1.278 in static conditions and from 0.798 to 1.030 in pseudo-static conditions, which indicates that the slopes present a constant risk of landslide and that require a reconformation of the geometry of the slopes. The finite element analysis gave a much less conservative result, the SRF varies from 2.50 to 3.25, not considering the main factor that triggers stability, which in this case would be the orientation of the discontinuities