ABSTRACT
A Geographic Information System (GIS) raster-based 3D slope stability analysis model is delivered to calculate the 3D safety factor in regional landslide assessment. In order to locate the potential failures, a Monte Carlo technique is used by means of minimizing the 3D safety factor through an iterative procedure, based on a simulation of ellipsoid for the 3D shape of slip surfaces. Any landslide hazard predicting work that is commonly used for hazard precaution should give answers to three key questions: the magnitude, the location and the time of failure occurrence. The factors that determine a landslide can be summarized as falling into two categories: quasi-static variables and dynamic variables. A GIS-based program has been developed to carry out all the processes, including data handling, calculation, and expression of the results. The introduction of the GIS technology enables both a convenient management of enormous amounts of slope-related data and an easy implementation of complicated calculations.
