http://www.lorenzo-borselli.

eu
Advanced 2D Slope
Stability Analysis by LEM
with SSAP software
Lorenzo Borselli
UASLP, Mexico
lborselli@gmail.com

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 1

DEFINITION

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
The Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM) is a well known
computational methodology for evaluating Factor of
Safety (FOS) and stability degree of natural (or
reinforced) slopes (Duncan, 1996, Krahn 2003).

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 2

SSAP PROGRAM

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
The Slope Stability Analysis Program (SSAP version 4.2.1,
2013), is the first full freeware application for LEM
implementing a series of characteristics usually available
today only in commercial software.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 3

HISTORY

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
SSAP has been developed during 21 years (1991-2012).
All computational procedures have been developed
starting from published paper on LEM and from original
developments by the author.

SSAP 2010 (rel. 4.0, 2010)

SSAP 2003

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 4

HISTORY

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Current SSAP release (4.2.1, 2013) contains many
new tools and original algorithms in order to obtain
more reliable FOS values and using a more general
approach to LEM with respect to the past.

SSAP 2010
(rel. 4.2, 2012)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 5

SSAP WEB PAGE

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
www.ssap.eu is the official web page of SSAP 2010,
version 4.2.1. A translation of the software and the
manual in English and Spanish languages is in progress.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 6

GRAPHICAL INTERFACE

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
SSAP Interface with MAIN and OPTIONS windows.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 7

GRAPHICAL INTERFACE

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Internal distribution of forces and pressures in SSAP
4.2.1 - 2013 (graphic rendering by integrated GNUPLOT
4.6, www.gnuplot.info).

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 8

GRAPHICAL INTERFACE

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Groundwater and fluid pressure module.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 9

GRAPHICAL INTERFACE

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Window with additional random surface generation
parameters.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 10

FOS CALCULATION

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
SSAP uses only rigorous LEM methods* in FOS
calculation. FOS coded in a computational
framework derived by Zhu et al. (2005), but
generalized to any LEM method in a new generalized
algorithm and computational strategy:
• Rigorous Janbu (1973)
• Spencer (1967) * LEM rigorous
methods are able to
• Sarma I (1973)
ensure, at the same
• Morgenstern & Price (1965) time, forces and
• Correia (1988) momentum equilibrium
• Sarma II (1979)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 11

FOS CALCULATION

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Real 3D to 2D A unit wide (1 m) strip is
LEM (limit equilibrium method) verified in 2D LEM. It represents
representation a potentially unstable mass
where the FOS will be computed

The slope and potential

sliding surface is
represented as a 2-D
section during
computation

1m

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 12

REINFORCEMENTS

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
In SSAP we can include different types of reinforcements
integrating their effects in FOS calculation.

Bolts/nails

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 13

REINFORCEMENTS

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
In SSAP we can include different types of reinforcements
integrating their effects in FOS calculation.

Geogrids

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 14

REINFORCEMENTS

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
In SSAP we can include different types of reinforcements
integrating their effects in FOS calculation.

Piles row stabilising an active landslide

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 15

SLIDING SURFACES GENERATION

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Monte Carlo methods are used to generate possible
sliding surfaces.

Surface generation engine RANDOM SEARCH

Convex/Concave
full random
composite surface

(Siegel et al., 1981)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 16

SLIDING SURFACES GENERATION

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Monte Carlo methods are used to generate possible
sliding surfaces.

Convex RANDOM SEARCH

Only Concave
full random surface

(Chen, 1992)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 17

SLIDING SURFACES GENERATION

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Hybrid method (expert system + Montecarlo).

SNIFF-RANDOM SEARCH 2.0

(Borselli, 2012)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 18

STRATIGRAPHY

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Stratigraphic complexities are managed up to a
maximum of 20 strata.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 19

FLUIDS

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Groundwater and fluid pressure are managed: e.g.
aquicludes in pressure and perched groundwater.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 20

FLUIDS

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Groundwater and fluid pressure are managed: e.g.
aquicludes in pressure and perched groundwater.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 21

ROCK MASS STRENGTH

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Rock mass strength criteria by Hoek et al. (2002) and
Hoek (2007) and GSI method are used by SSAP as
alternative to Mohr-Coulomb strength criteria.
1

Sforzo
Tangenziale 4
Inviluppo di rottura
3

2  ' 4   '3

c' 4  c'3

1
Sforzo normale

(Borselli, 2012)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 22

ROCK MASS STRENGTH

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
(Sonmez and Ulusay, 1999)

(Hoek, 2007, modified)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 23

GRAPHICAL OUTPUT

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Graphic rendering includes the automatic generation of
DXF files (Autocad compatible).

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 24

GRAPHICAL OUTPUT

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
SNIFF RANDOM SEARCH 2.0 application on an earthfill
above and with horizontal weak layer (example from
Fredlund 1977).

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 25

GRAPHICAL OUTPUT

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Internal distribution of forces and pressure, distribution
of local FOS, local distribution of RHO index (numerical
reliability of general FOS numerical solution).

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 26

NUMERICAL STABILITY

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
RHO index computation, its distribution and analysis
for the solution’s reliability.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 27

NUMERICAL STABILITY

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
RHO index computation
and its distribution.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 28

NUMERICAL STABILITY

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Space (l0, Fs0) exploration for best FOS searching for
a given sliding surface (Borselli, 2012).

Flat areas No solution

not (false best solutions) (Death Valley)
min Fs min Fs min Fs

not
min Fs

l0 Fs0 Fs0
l0

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 29

NUMERICAL STABILITY

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Three different algorithms allow to explore initialization
values for the computation of final FOS. The most
accurate method uses global optimization by differential
evolution (Storne and Price, 1997).
Fsmin=1.332

l0

Fs0

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 30

EXAMPLES: CARRARA DISTRICT

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Application in Carrara district (Italy): slope with residual
waste of marble (stratum 1), rockery wall in big block of
marble (strata 3, 4). Rock mass of good quality
(stratum 2) on marble.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 31

EXAMPLES: CARRARA DISTRICT

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Critical sliding surfaces in scenario with saturated base of
the slope (in violet, 10 most critical surfaces with the
lowest FOS value).

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 32

EXAMPLES: CARRARA DISTRICT

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Critical sliding surface in scenario with saturated
base of the slope.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 33

EXAMPLES: CARRARA DISTRICT

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
2D color map with distribution of average local FOS
obtained by local stress distribution (Borselli, 2012).

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 34

EXAMPLES: COLIMA VOLCANO

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Flank Collapse and new Relative Instability Analysis
Technique was applied to Colima volcano using SSAP
Software (Borselli et al., 2011).

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 35

EXAMPLES: COLIMA VOLCANO

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
• Generic shape random search of minimum FS sliding
surface by Monte Carlo method.
• Multiples 2D LEM analysis of volcano’s slope profiles
distributed every 30° of azimuth and passing from
the edifice top.
• Rock mass strength criterion (Hoek et al., 2002; Hoek,
2007).

• Fluid pressure function (overpressure and dissipation

fields inside volcanic edifice) (Borselli et al., 2011).

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 36

EXAMPLES: COLIMA VOLCANO

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
(Borselli et al., 2011)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 37

EXAMPLES: COLIMA VOLCANO

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
0°

270° 90° Multiple sections of

volcanic structure,
each 30° clockwise
A
240°
Single section
210° analysis

180° Fs=?

A B
(Borselli and Sarocchi, 2012)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 38

EXAMPLES: COLIMA VOLCANO

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
(Borselli et al., 2011)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 39

EXAMPLES: COLIMA VOLCANO

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
(Borselli et al., 2011)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 40

EXAMPLES: COLIMA VOLCANO

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
The most unstable flank is the W-SW (between 270°
and 210°).

(Borselli and Sarocchi, 2012)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 41

EXAMPLES: COLIMA VOLCANO

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Relative stability index:

(Borselli et al., 2011)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 42

EXAMPLES: COLIMA VOLCANO

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
The most potentially unstable
flank: Azimuth 270°-210°

(Borselli and Sarocchi, 2012)

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 43

SSAP2010 HIGHLIGHTS

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
• Freeware software tool with large diffusion and use in
Italy for professionals, students, researchers, and
private and public companies.
• 21 years of development based on 100% original
coding, testing, and continuous interaction with final
users with the aims of software improvement.
• Many original algorithms (e.g. sniff random search
2.0, and 2D map of local average FOS).
• Numerical stability control and its reliability analysis;
groundwater and fluid pressure management module;
reinforcement structures etc.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 44

SSAP2010 HIGHLIGHTS

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
• Technical documentation on-line (still in Italian) and
many real examples of application in natural and
reinforced slopes.
• Many application in Italy and some in México in
cases with high stratigraphic, geomechanics and
hydraulic complexities.
• Free download from the WEB: www.ssap.eu.
• Full freeware user’s license for any type of
applications.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 45

REFERENCES 1/4

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Borselli, L., 2012. SSAP 4.2.0 - Slope Stability Analysis Program. SSAP code Manual, version
4.2.0 (16 Dec. 2012) http://www.Ssap.Eu/Manualessap2010.Pdf.
Borselli, L., Sarocchi D. 2012.Fcollapse and new relative instability analysis techniques
applied to Volcán de Colima and Mt. St. Helens. Geological Society of America Abstracts
with Programs, Vol. 44, No. 3, p. 20.
Borselli, L., Capra, L., Sarocchi, D., & De la Cruz-Reyna, S., 2011. Flank collapse scenarios at
Volcán de Colima, Mexico: A relative instability analysis. Journal of Volcanology and
Geothermal Research, 208(1), 51-65.
Boutrup, E., & Lovell, C.W., 1980. Searching Techniques In Slope Stability Analysis.
Engineering Geology 16, pp 51-61.
Chen, Z.Y., 1992. Random Trials Used In Determining Global Minimum Factors Of Safety Of
Slopes. Can.Geotech. J. 29 pp 225-233.
Chowdhury, R., Flentje, P., Bhattacharya, G., 2009. Geotechnical slope analysis. CRC-press
ISBN: 978-0-415-46974-6, pp 762.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 46

REFERENCES 2/4

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Correia, R. M., 1988. A limit equilibrium method of slope stability analysis. In Proc. 5th Int.
Symp. Landslides, pp. 595-598.
Duncan, J. M., 1996. State Of The Art: Limit equilibrium and finite-element analysis of
slopes. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. 122(7): 577-596.
Espinoza, R.D, Bourdeau, P.L., Muhunthan, B., 1994. Unified formulation for analysis of
slopes with general slip surface. Journal of Geothecnical Eng. Vo. 120(7): 1185-1204.
Hassiotis, S., Chameau, J. L., & Gunaratne, M. 1997. Design method for stabilization of
slopes with piles. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 123(4),
314-323.
Hoek, E, Carranza-Torres, CT, Corkum, B., 2002. Hoek-Brown failure criterion-2002 edition.
In: Proceedings of the 5th North American Rock Mechanics Symp., Toronto, Canada,
2002: 1: 267–73.
Hoek, E., 2007. Practical Rock engineering. New edition.
http://www.rockscience.com/hoek/corner/Practical_Rock_Engineering.pdf (last
accessed 24-/03/2013) pp. 237.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 47

REFERENCES 3/4

http://www.lorenzo-borselli.eu
Ito, T, Matsui T, Hong, P.W., 1981. Design method for stabilizing piles against landslide—one
row of piles. Soils and Foundations, 21(1): 21–37.
Janbu, N., 1954. Application Of Composite Slip Surfaces For Stability Analysis. Proc. of
European Conf. On Stability Of Earth Slopes, Stockholm Vol.3 pp 43-49.
Janbu, N., 1973. Slope stability computations. The embankment dam engineering
Casagrande volume. John Willey and Sons pp 47-86.
Krahn, J., 2003. The 2001 R.M. Hardy Lecture; the limits of limit equilibrium analysis. Can.
Geotech. J., 403, 643–660.
Morgestern, N.R. and Price, V.E., 1965. The analysis of the stability of general slip surfaces.
Geotechnique, 15, pp 70-93.
Sarma, S. K., 1973. Stability analysis of embankments and slopes. Geótechnique 23, No. 3,
423–433.
Sarma, S. K., and Tan, D., 2006. Determination of critical slip surface in slope analysis.
Geotechnique, 568, 539–550.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 48

REFERENCES 4/4

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Sarma, S.K., 1979. Stability analysis of embankments and slopes. Journal of Geotech. Eng.
Vol. 105(2): 1511-1524.
Siegel, R.A., Kovacs, W.D., Lovell, C.W., 1981. Random surface generation in stability
analysis. Journal of Geotech. Eng. Vol. 107 No. 7 pp 996-1002.
Sonmez, H., and Ulusay, R., 1999. Modifications to the Geological Strength Index (GSI) and
their applicability to the stability of slopes. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci., 36 (6), 743-760.
Spencer, E., 1967. A method of analysis of the stability of embankments assuming parallel
interslice forces. Géotechnique, 17(1): 11–26.
Storn, R., & Price, K. 1997. Differential evolution–a simple and efficient heuristic for global
optimization over continuous spaces. Journal of global optimization, 11(4), 341-359.
Zhu, D. Y., Lee, C. F., & Jiang, H. D. 2003. Generalised framework of limit equilibrium
methods for slope stability analysis. Geotechnique, 53(4), 377-395.
Zhu D.Y. , Lee C.F.,. Qian Q.H, and. Chen G.R. 2005. A concise algorithm for computing the
factor of safety using the Morgenstern–Price method. Can. Geotech. J. 42: 272–278.
doi: 10.1139/T04-072.

SSAP SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED LEM ANALYSIS L. Borselli 49