Cross-Correlation Analysis of the Stability of Heterogeneous Slopes

Geologic material properties of hillslopes are inherently heterogeneous, with complex layering structures due to geological deposition processes. Lacking detailed sampling the properties’ spatial distribution has led stochastic representation address uncertainty in hillslope stability evaluation. This study treats distributions shear strength parameters, cohesion (c), and internal friction angle (φ), a synthetic two-dimensional slope as random fields characterized by their means, variances, correlation scales. then evaluates cross-correlation between these parameters factor safety (FS) using unconditional Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). Different from classical sensitivity analyses, analysis FS parameter stresses importance orientation large-scale layering, media’s cohesion, at local scale on probability failure heterogeneous hillslope. The further guides field strategy reduce unknown heterogeneity. More importantly, it suggests location reinforcement measures. results this provide cost-effective tools for geoengineers deal under uncertainty.