Slope Stability Software:

Plane Failure Analysis:

The program is based on the work of Hoek and Bray with extensions to include compound slopes.  It fairly intuitive to use, but you must be consistent with the input units. 

Version 2-1: (February 2006)
I have updated Version 2 and fixed several bugs.  I have also eliminated the restriction that the discontinuity angle must be greater than the angle of friction.  When dealing with external forces, there may be occasions when a slope is failing along a discontinuity that has a slight angle or may even be flat.  The following link will download the zip file containing the updated exectable along with several example files.
  • Plane_V2-1.zip (60 Kb) - Version 2-1 executable and example files.

    • Version 2: (February 1999)
    I have finished Plane Failure Analysis Version 2 and it has a lot of extras.  I added the ability to save a view of the slope analyzed as a bitmap and has the summary printed alongside.  This version also has a feature to allow the user to input artifical support (rockbolts, cable bolts, etc.) or autocalculate the required support by entering the desired factor of safety.  The cluttered command buttons in Version 1 have been replaced by a toolbar at the top.  If you upgrade from Version 1 to Version 2, all you have to download is the Version 2 executable with example files and unzip them to the same directory as Version 1.
  • Plane_Full_V2.zip (3.48 Mb) - Full download of Version 2 with the required VB5 files.
  • Plane_V2.zip (65 Kb) - Just the Version 2 executable and example files.
    • Screen Shots: Plane V2 bug reports:
  • Plane V2 is not loading a user specified tension crack location when reading the stored values from a data file.

    • Version 1: (November 1998)
    I have put together a package to calculate the factor of safety for plane failures in rock and soil slopes where defined discontinuity planes exist.  This is the first release and works with Win95® and WinNT® 4 (with service pack 3 installed).  It is fairly rough in some areas, but some features it includes are a view of the block analyzed, the ability to locate the worst case tension crack, a summary of the analysis that you can print or save to a text file, and many others.
    Plane_full.zip (4.17 Mb) - Full download of Version 1 with the required VB5 DLL files.
    Plane.zip (55 Kb) - Just the Version 1 executable and an example file.
    Wedge Failure Analysis:
    Version 2-1: (February 2006)
    I have updated Version 2 and fixed several bugs.  The following link will download the zip file containing the updated exectable along with several example files.
  • Wedge_V2-1.zip (52 Kb) - Version 2-1 executable and example files.
    • Version 2: (November 1999)
    The second version of the wedge failure analysis package is complete.  It has several updated features from Version 1 including a button bar at the top.  This version also has a feature to allow the user to input artifical support (rockbolts, cable bolts, etc.) or autocalculate the required support by entering the desired factor of safety.
  • Wedge_Full_V2.zip (3.45 Mb) - Full download of Version 2.0 with the required VB6 files.
    • November 22, 1999 - I had to compile Wedge Version 2 in VB6 because of compatibility errors with the .OCX files with different versions of VB5.  You will have to download the full version.  You may get an error during the installation about EXPSRV.DLL.  Just hit the Ignore button, as this error should not affect the operation of the program.  The setup program will install the Wedge program in its own folder under the Programs section of the Start Menu.  If you don't like it in its own folder, just move the shortcut (like I did) to the Programs folder and delete the Wedge folder from the Start Menu.

    Screen Shots:

    Version 1: (November 1998)
    I have completed comprehensive wedge failure analysis package is also available that has several features including a stereonet view of the planes the user inputs and a summary of the analysis that you can print.  Again, you must be consistent with the input units.
  • Wedge_full.zip (4.15 Mb) - Full download of version 1.0 with the required VB5 DLL files.
  • Wedge.zip (42 Kb) - Just the version 1.0 executable and three example files.
    • Wedge Version 1 bug reports:
  • Wedge reports an incorrect factor of safety value in the summary when the water pressures on the discontinuities causes contact to be lost on the discontinuities.
    • Input Units:
    Because it is often desirable to work in the units you are most familiar with, I have written the programs to have standardized units.  If you are not consistent with your units, the result obtained from the program will be invalid.  A list of the appropriate units are provided in the following table:
     
    Type of Unit Imperial SI
    Length Feet Meters
    Area Square Feet Square Meters
    Volume Cubic Feet Cubic Meters
    Force Pounds Newtons
    Pressure or Stress Pounds per Square Foot Pascals (Newtons/Square Meter)
    Unit Weight of Rock or Soil Pounds per Cubic Foot Newtons per Cubic Meter
    Unit Weight of Water 62.4 Pounds/Cubic Foot 9810 Newtons/Cubic Meter

    I have some other geotechnical and geological applications that I will be adding to this page in the near future.  If you want to be put on my email list to receive notification of additions/revisions to this list, send me an email at the following link: kroeger@engr.siu.edu

    Questions, comments, concerns? Don't hesitate to contact me at: kroeger@engr.siu.edu
    Last updated: February 8, 2006