Influence of soil shear strength spatial variability on the compressive strength of a block. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allahverdizadeh, Pooya; Griffiths, D. V.; Fenton, Gordon A.
• Is Part Of: Georisk. Volume 10:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 2
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Random finite element method -- spatial variability -- worst-case spatial correlation length -- block compressive strength -- probabilistic analysis; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Hazardous geographic environments -- Risk assessment -- Periodicals; Reliability (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Risk management -- Periodicals; 624.151
• DOI: 10.1080/17499518.2015.1103876
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1749-9518

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper studies the probability of failure of a soil block consisting of random soil using the random finite element method (RFEM). The shear strength parameters ( c ′, tan ⁡ φ ′ ) are treated as random variables characterized by a mean, a coefficient of variation and a spatial correlation length θ . Both normal and log-normal input distributions are considered. A "worst-case" spatial correlation length, which leads to a maximum probability of failure, is clearly demonstrated. This "worst-case" spatial correlation length, which is also observed in other geotechnical applications, has implications for design and can be used in the absence of more detailed information about the soil spatial variability to target a conservative design.