Case study: Using limiting equilibrium analysis in landslide risk assessments

Many regulatory bodies (e.g Councils) relate slope stability performance criteria to a Factor of Safety (typically 1.5). Frequently the input parameters for such analyses are selected in a subjective manner following relatively expensive subsurface investigation and laboratory testing. Subsurface investigation works, logging and laboratory testing works are all undertaken following specific procedures and standards. No such standards exist when it comes to modelling parameter selection and analysis. This paper addresses this issue and provides a methodology for linking limiting equilibrium analysis results to landslide risk assessments.