11.2 Semi-empirical Approach
163
Fig. 11.2 Comparison of
the direct geomechanical
probabilistic approach (red)
and the semi-empirical
method results for cohesive
soils
These three points are discussed below.
We have carried out a number of trials using a probabilistic geomechanical
approach and compared the results to the empirical methodology. These were based
on cohesive and granular slopes of non-engineered materials (natural soils). In each
case found comparable results (that is, within the same order of magnitude) of the
probability of failure, as depicted in Figs. 11.2 and 11.3, for category IV, i.e., nonengineered structures. NB: the probability of failure of a real-life dam lies in a
range of six orders of magnitude. World-wide historic tailings dams performance
lies within one order of magnitude. Finding a correspondence between a theoretical
and empirical pf within one order of magnitude is sufficient for the purposes of portfolio prioritization, given all the other present uncertainties. Thus it is assumed that
the direct geomechanical probabilistic approach and the empirical method deliver
comparable results for non-engineered (natural) materials.
Fig. 11.3 Comparison of the direct geomechanical probabilistic approach (red) and the semiempirical method results for granular soils
163
Fig. 11.2 Comparison of
the direct geomechanical
probabilistic approach (red)
and the semi-empirical
method results for cohesive
soils
These three points are discussed below.
We have carried out a number of trials using a probabilistic geomechanical
approach and compared the results to the empirical methodology. These were based
on cohesive and granular slopes of non-engineered materials (natural soils). In each
case found comparable results (that is, within the same order of magnitude) of the
probability of failure, as depicted in Figs. 11.2 and 11.3, for category IV, i.e., nonengineered structures. NB: the probability of failure of a real-life dam lies in a
range of six orders of magnitude. World-wide historic tailings dams performance
lies within one order of magnitude. Finding a correspondence between a theoretical
and empirical pf within one order of magnitude is sufficient for the purposes of portfolio prioritization, given all the other present uncertainties. Thus it is assumed that
the direct geomechanical probabilistic approach and the empirical method deliver
comparable results for non-engineered (natural) materials.
Fig. 11.3 Comparison of the direct geomechanical probabilistic approach (red) and the semiempirical method results for granular soils