Coupled Numerical Analysis of the Stability Behaviour of Unsaturated Soil Slopes Under Rainfall Conditions

The stability behaviour of unsaturated soil slopes under rainfall conditions is investigated via a parametric finite element analysis, which is a fully coupled flow and deformation approach linked to a dynamic programming technique for determining the minimum factor of safety as well as its corresponding critical slip surface based on the stress fields from the numerical computation. The effects of rainfall features, soil strength parameters and permeability properties on slope stability are studied. The analyses revealed that the soil matric suction decreased during rainfall, especially in slopes with high permeability and/or with high suction angles of unsaturated soils. The influence of rainfall conditions on such slopes is quite obvious, and soil suction drops rapidly, which leads to a consequent quick reduction in the factor of safety.