The Application of Particle Swarm Optimization on the Search of Critical Slip Surface

The stress filed and deformation of the slope could be calculated by FEM method, but the coefficient of safety could not be obtained from the results. It is relatively straightforward to get the coefficient of safety when the critical slip surface (CSS) is clear based on stress filed, while it is complex when the CSS is unknown. However, there are several methods to solute the problem. Such as displacement method, genetic algorithm etc. In this paper, based on stress field, choosing the Particle Swarm Optimization as tools, letting limited bit of coordinates as parameters, assigning the coefficient of safety of the slope as optimum object, a new method to define the coefficient of safety when CSS is unknown is put forward. The program of ACA is developed in the paper, and the Australia examination 1(a) is calculated by the program. The results show that the method in this paper is feasible.