Genetic algorithms in stability analysis of non-homogeneous slopes

In recent years, genetic algorithm search procedure has been used to locate the critical slip surface of homogeneous slopes. It has been found that genetic algorithm is a robust search technique which often gives global solution. In the present study, genetic algorithm has been used to locate the critical slip surface of non-homogeneous slope in conjunction with slope stability analysis method developed by Janbu (1973) for generalized slip surface. The results obtained from the present study have been compared with those available in the literature [Greco (1996) and Zolfaghari et al. (2005)]. The effect of various genetic algorithm parameters (population size, number of generations, crossover probability and mutation probability) on the solution has been studied. It has been found from the results that Janbu's method (1973) of stability analysis along with genetic algorithm as search procedure gives a better solution in terms of getting minimum factor of safety, compared to other methods.