Error Analysis of Correlation Between Factor of Safety and Dump Slope Failure Angle with Geo-Synthetics

ABSTRACT The present study employs a laboratory model to simulate the behaviour of dump slopes and to examine their stability when reinforced with geo-synthetics. These geo-synthetics layers were strategically placed at various positions within the dump mass to assess their influence on the stability of the slope. The laboratory model was instrumental in determining the slope failure angle under different reinforcement configurations. Experimental observations revealed that both the number of geo-synthetics layers and their placement within the dump significantly affect the slope failure angle. In parallel, numerical simulations were performed using FLAC/Slope software to analyse the factor of safety associated with each dump configuration. The geo-synthetics were incorporated into the numerical models at positions corresponding to those tested in the laboratory. The analysis showed a clear trend: as the failure angle of the slope increased, so did the factor of safety. This indicates that reinforcement not only delays failure but also enhances the overall stability of the slope. Based on the results from both the laboratory and numerical analyses, a regression equation was developed to relate the slope failure angle (obtained experimentally) to the factor of safety (obtained numerically). This equation offers a practical tool for estimating the factor of safety without the need for complex numerical simulations. To validate the reliability of this correlation, a detailed error analysis was carried out using twelve different error functions. The results of this analysis confirmed that the regression equation provides highly accurate estimates of the factor of safety based solely on the observed slope failure angle, highlighting its potential utility in preliminary slope stability assessments.