Cross-Correlation Analysis of the Stability of Heterogeneous Slopes
Geologic material properties of hillslopes are inherently heterogeneous, with complex layering structures due to geological deposition processes. Lacking detailed sampling of the properties’ spatial distribution has led to the stochastic representation of the properties to address uncertainty in the...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/6/1050 |
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| author | Yukun Li Faming Zhang Tian-Chyi Jim Yeh Xiaolan Hou Menglong Dong |
| author_facet | Yukun Li Faming Zhang Tian-Chyi Jim Yeh Xiaolan Hou Menglong Dong |
| author_sort | Yukun Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Geologic material properties of hillslopes are inherently heterogeneous, with complex layering structures due to geological deposition processes. Lacking detailed sampling of the properties’ spatial distribution has led to the stochastic representation of the properties to address uncertainty in the hillslope stability evaluation. This study treats the spatial distributions of the shear strength parameters, the cohesion (<i>c</i>), and the internal friction angle (<i>φ</i>), in a synthetic two-dimensional slope as stochastic random fields characterized by their means, variances, and correlation scales. This study then evaluates the cross-correlation between these parameters and the factor of safety (<i>FS</i>) using unconditional Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). Different from classical sensitivity analyses, the cross-correlation analysis of <i>FS</i> and the stochastic parameter fields stresses the importance of the orientation of the large-scale geological layering, the correlation between the geological media’s cohesion, and the internal friction angle at the local scale on the probability and uncertainty of failure of the heterogeneous hillslope. The analysis further guides the field sampling strategy to reduce uncertainty in the slope stability analysis due to unknown heterogeneity. More importantly, it suggests the location of stability reinforcement measures. The results of this study provide cost-effective tools for geoengineers to deal with field slope stability analysis under uncertainty. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:45:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-946c8786d2a147aeb23fdfe3804d22bd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:45:56Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-946c8786d2a147aeb23fdfe3804d22bd2023-11-17T14:25:42ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412023-03-01156105010.3390/w15061050Cross-Correlation Analysis of the Stability of Heterogeneous SlopesYukun Li0Faming Zhang1Tian-Chyi Jim Yeh2Xiaolan Hou3Menglong Dong4School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, ChinaDepartment of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USASchool of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, ChinaGeologic material properties of hillslopes are inherently heterogeneous, with complex layering structures due to geological deposition processes. Lacking detailed sampling of the properties’ spatial distribution has led to the stochastic representation of the properties to address uncertainty in the hillslope stability evaluation. This study treats the spatial distributions of the shear strength parameters, the cohesion (<i>c</i>), and the internal friction angle (<i>φ</i>), in a synthetic two-dimensional slope as stochastic random fields characterized by their means, variances, and correlation scales. This study then evaluates the cross-correlation between these parameters and the factor of safety (<i>FS</i>) using unconditional Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). Different from classical sensitivity analyses, the cross-correlation analysis of <i>FS</i> and the stochastic parameter fields stresses the importance of the orientation of the large-scale geological layering, the correlation between the geological media’s cohesion, and the internal friction angle at the local scale on the probability and uncertainty of failure of the heterogeneous hillslope. The analysis further guides the field sampling strategy to reduce uncertainty in the slope stability analysis due to unknown heterogeneity. More importantly, it suggests the location of stability reinforcement measures. The results of this study provide cost-effective tools for geoengineers to deal with field slope stability analysis under uncertainty.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/6/1050correlation scalescross-correlation analysisshear strength parametersslope stabilityspatial variability |
| spellingShingle | Yukun Li Faming Zhang Tian-Chyi Jim Yeh Xiaolan Hou Menglong Dong Cross-Correlation Analysis of the Stability of Heterogeneous Slopes Water correlation scales cross-correlation analysis shear strength parameters slope stability spatial variability |
| title | Cross-Correlation Analysis of the Stability of Heterogeneous Slopes |
| title_full | Cross-Correlation Analysis of the Stability of Heterogeneous Slopes |
| title_fullStr | Cross-Correlation Analysis of the Stability of Heterogeneous Slopes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cross-Correlation Analysis of the Stability of Heterogeneous Slopes |
| title_short | Cross-Correlation Analysis of the Stability of Heterogeneous Slopes |
| title_sort | cross correlation analysis of the stability of heterogeneous slopes |
| topic | correlation scales cross-correlation analysis shear strength parameters slope stability spatial variability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/6/1050 |
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