slope stability modeling for landfill applications

[purvis]

What slope stability modeling software is best suited for landfill applications? Also, does anyone have any recommendations on good slope stability short courses?

 

[Focht3]

If you choose one of the established - and actively supported - slope stability programs that can perform analyses for circular and irregular failure surfaces, you should be fine.

Having said that, remember: "Garbage in, garbage out." The art of geotechnical engineering is not in choosing the "right" program - it's in defining the correct problem and method of analysis. Taking a short course won't "fix" the problems of your lack of experience and no in-house mentor at your employer. Tread carefully! Buying and installing the software will be the easy part...

And expect to run dozens, perhaps hundreds of analyses to get a handle on how the site geometry and soil properties interact. It's a lot harder to do than it looks! Set aside several weeks to evaluate your first site. And remember that selection of reasonable groundwater levels (note: plural) is a critical factor in the slope stability evaluation process.

Why isn't your geotechnical consultant doing the stability analyses? Your analysis of slope stability is the equivalent to the geotech laying out the landfill for efficient operation over decades. You are a lot better off letting a real expert do this work.

 

[Patgeotech]

Hi Purvis

Just wanted to let you know that I agree with Focht3, software does not help you out of a problem, but sometimes makes more of a problem. I know because I have learnt this the hard way through PPC applications for landfills! There is often more to the problem as well - my advice (as Focht3) is to sit down with a geotechnical guy and discuss what may/is involved. You must be clear in your head that you understand the geology of the site, boreholes!! working plans of site, waste type, groundwater levels, soil strengths, etc. If you have a clear understanding in the beginning, then you will NOT need to do "hundreds" of evaluations. Slope/w is a good software package.
It is always good to learn something new (add to the skills list), good luck! If you have any questions then don't hesistate to ask me. I've been there too!

Cheers - Patgeotech