Development and application of numerical limit analysis for geotechnical materials

Solid material develops from elastic to plastic then to failure after undertaking some load,which means that yield is different from failure.The system of yield criteria for geomaterial is discussed and two definitions which are point failure and surface failure in stress field are put forward.And the criteria of surface whole failure is defined through traditional limit analysis method.Simultaneously,the deficiencies for traditional limit analysis and numerical analysis are pointed out by reviewing and analyzing the solution characteristics of traditional limit analysis method.Based on the combination of these two methods,a newly developed numerical limit analysis method is built,which has enlarged the application rage of limit analysis.The significances and features of traditional limit analysis method and numerical limit method are studied,as well as the reliabilities.The advantages and disadvantages of numerical limit analysis are listed;and the wide applicability of numerical limit analysis in the slope(landslide) engineering,foundation engineering and tunnel engineering is illustrated.