Static and dynamic stability assessment of slopes or dam foundations using a rigid body–spring element method

Abstract A rigid body–spring element method is used to evaluate the static and dynamic stability of slopes or dam foundations. The versatility of the method applies well to both static and dynamic problems for blocks of arbitrary polyhedral shape with various re-entrant surface features. Examples show that the safety factor obtained in this way agrees well with theoretical solutions. The dynamic safety factor determined with this method varies with time, which differentiate it from the results of the limit equilibrium method or the finite element method. The method also makes it possible to search for the most probable sliding mass.