Analytical stochastic analysis of seismic stability of infinite slope

The sliding of natural slopes is usually governed by combination of soil parameters and earthquake characteristics. The inherent variability of these parameters which affect seismic slope stability dictates that the problem is of a probabilistic nature rather than being deterministic. Stochastic analysis of slope seismic stability has received attention in the literature and has been used as an effective tool to evaluate uncertainty so prevalent in the variables. In this research, the jointly distributed random variables method is used as an analytical method for stochastic analysis and reliability assessment of seismic stability of infinite slopes without seepage. The selected stochastic parameters are internal friction angle, cohesion and unit weight of soil, which are modeled using a truncated normal probability density function and the horizontal seismic coefficient which is considered to have a truncated exponential probability density function. The geometric parameters such as height and angle of the slope relative to a horizontal are regarded as constant parameters. The results are compared with the Monte Carlo simulation. Comparison of the results indicates superior performance of the proposed approach for assessment of reliability. (c) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.