STRENGTH REDUCTION FEM IN STABILITY ANALYSIS OF SOIL SLOPES SUBJECTED TO TRANSIENT UNSATURATED SEEPAGE

The basic equation for unsaturated transient seepage is discussed from consideration of mass conservation of solid and liquid phases,the stability of soil slope due to drawdown of water level is analyzed by the strength reduction FEM combined with transient unsaturated seepage calculation;the results are compared with the results of limit equilibrium approach.The comparison shows the validity of the strength reduction FEM to evaluate the stability of slopes subjected to transient unsaturated seepage;the conclusions provide references to the engineering practice.Topics for the further research in this area are also suggested.