Physics-guided neural network-based framework for 3D modeling of slope stability

Physics-informed neural networks (PINN) have gradually attracted attention in the field of geotechnical engineering. This paper proposes a novel PINN-based framework for the three-dimensional (3D) stability analysis of soil slopes. Based on the fundamental theorem of plasticity and limit analysis, the partial differential equations (PDE) with regard to slope collapse are derived and integrated into the physics-guided loss function. A kinematically admissible failure mechanism that rigorously satisfies the Mohr-Coulomb associated flow rule is obtained by minimizing the loss function, thereby circumventing complex mathematical calculations. The discrete points generated by PINN are selected and refined through a series of procedures to represent the failure block of slopes using a two-dimensional matrix. The entire training process of the PINN-based framework is conducted without the need for any labeled data. The resulting discretized failure mechanism is meshfree and capable of accommodating spatially discrete data. A validation exercise is performed to verify the proposed framework by comparing it with the classical 3D rotational failure mechanism. To further consider the impact of external excitation on slope stability, a hybrid PINN framework is developed to assess the stability of slopes subjected to complex external environments. In addition to the PINN to generate a failure mechanism, a parallel PINN is employed to acquire the corresponding spatially discrete data of specified external excitations. The hybrid PINN framework for seismic stability assessment of slopes is demonstrated by way of example, indicating favorable feasibility and applicability of the developed approach. The proposed PINN-based framework provides innovative and promising avenues for 3D slope stability analysis.