ABSTRACT
F. Zhang et al. conducted a 2D soilwater coupled finite element analysis on the slope, which is based on an elastoplastic model proposed by F. Oka and T. Adachi. The 3D shape of the slope, the geological conditions and the initial ground water level are delicately considered during 3D modeling. The change of the ground water level during rainfall is simulated by increasing the water heads of elements from initial level to the ground surface. In the formulation of soil-water coupled analysis, the finite element method is used for the spatial discretization of the equilibrium equation, while the finite difference method is used for the spatial discretization of the pore-water pressure in the continuity equation. By adopting 3D soil-water coupled finite element methods based on a suitable elastoplastic model for soft rock, and properly 3D modeling, the progressive failure of a real slope due to heavy rainfall can be simulated to an engineering acceptable accuracy.
