When is it appropriate to use dynamic programming?

Dynamic Programming Advantages:

• Truly unrestrained non-circular slip surface
• Can be used for weak layer detection in complex systems

A conventional slope stability analysis involving limit equilibrium methods of slices consists of the calculation of the factor of safety for a specified slip surface of predetermined shape. The determination of the location of the critical slip surface with the lowest factor of safety is part of the analysis. To render the inherently indeterminate analysis determinate, conventional limit equilibrium methods generally make use of assumptions regarding the relationship between the interslice forces. These assumptions become disadvantages to limit equilibrium methods, since the actual stresses acting along the slip surface are quite approximate and the location of the critical slip surface depends on the shape assumed by the analyst.

Limit Equilibrium methods (LEM) of slices have two major shortcomings:

• There is uncertainty regarding the shape of the critical slip surface
• There is a disregard for the actual total stresses within the soil mass