Slope stability analysis is a critical component of major infrastructure projects, especially for highways, railways, and canals. Ensuring slope stability is essential for both safety and cost-effective embankment design. Commonly adopted methods include the Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM) and the Strength Reduction Method (SRM). For slope stabilization and protection, techniques such as soil nailing and anchoring are widely used.
This webinar provides a theoretical overview of slope stability analysis methods and demonstrates the capabilities of MIDAS GTS NX in this domain. Key features such as import of CAD file, construction stage analysis, and Strength Reduction Method-based slope stability analysis will be covered.
✳️ Who Should Attend
- Geotechnical Engineers involved in highway, railway projects
- Researchers and Academicians involved in numerical modelling
- Engineering Consultants involved in earthen embankment projects
✳️ Why Should Join
- Understand difference between Limit Equilibrium Method and Finite Element Analysis
- Understand the local and global slope analysis
- Gain insights about numerical modeling of slope stability analysis
✳️ What You'll Take Away
- Numerical modelling techniques for Slope Stability Analysis
✳️ Related MIDAS Software
🚩 Q&A highlights with the speaker’s answers from the live session will be updated on Sep 4.

Dr. Praveen HudedGeotechnical Engineer, MIDAS IT
Dr. Praveen Huded is a geotechnical engineer with expertise in the analysis and design of pile foundations in liquefiable soils and seismic hazard assessment. At MIDAS, he is responsible for developing and validating numerical models, delivering customized simulation-based solutions to clients.
Tech Q1. In this SRM Method, if I have more than one soil layers or even more complicated one, how the software reduces the parameters for soil layers, is the parameters of all soil layers are reduced at the same time or layer after layer, and by how much the reduction occurred in C and phi? also, the reduction occurs for C and phi simultaneously or one after one?
A. For all the layers, the reduction of c, phi & dilatancy angle occurs simultaneously. Please refer to following picture for the flow the calculation for SRM method. Kindly go through the analysis manual for more information.
ANALYSIS REFERENCE - GeoTechnical analysis System with New eXperience
Here, τ is the shear strength of the slope material, and can be expressed using the Mohr–Coulomb criteria as follows:
τ = c + σₙ tan φ (5.9.2)
Also, τ_f is the shear stress of the active plane and can be calculated as follows:
τ_f = c_f + σₙ tan φ_f (5.9.3)
c_f = c / SRF : Shear strength factor (Cohesion)
φ_f = tan⁻¹( tan φ / SRF ) : Shear strength factor (Friction angle)
SRF : Strength reduction factor
For the strength reduction method, the SRF value just before the non-convergence is evaluated as the safety factor. Hence, the safety factor can be slightly different depending on the user input number of convergence and convergence criteria.
Tech Q2. What is reason for SRM inclusion boundary condition. Is it to have local fs from SRM method?
A. Yes, That is correct.
Tech Q3. How will overburden gets defined?
A. You can either model them as a soil/rock layer with appropriate unit weight using a solid/plane strain elements or to simplify, we can input that as a load/pressure.
Tech Q4. Can I get per-slice free-body diagrams (FBDs) and slice forces in the LEM module?
A. Yes. The LEM module in GTS NX can display per-slice FBDs and report slice-level quantities (e.g., slice weight, base/side normal and shear forces, interslice forces, and pore pressure). Results can be reviewed on screen and exported for documentation.
Tech Q5. In SRM, how are c and φ reduced, and can the factor of safety be < 1.0?
A. In GTS NX, the Strength Reduction Method (SRM) scales shear-strength parameters simultaneously—typically reducing c′ and tan φ′ by a trial factor F until a global failure criterion is met.The reported FoS is not constrained to ≥ 1.0; if the model is already unstable at unreduced strength, the solution may converge to FoS < 1.0. The initial trial factor defaults to 1.0 but can be adjusted in the SRM analysis controls. (Follow your project specifications for the exact reduction scheme.)
Tech Q6. How do I model slope-stabilization measures (soil nails, shotcrete, geogrids, micropiles, retaining walls) in GTS NX?
A. • Soil nails / rock bolts: use truss/cable-type elements; include interface or bond-slip properties where applicable.
• Shotcrete lining: use beam/plate (2D) or shell (3D) elements; couple to the ground with appropriate contact/interface.
• Geogrids/geonets: use the dedicated Geogrid element with tensile stiffness and pull-out parameters.
• Micropiles / retaining walls: in 2D, beam elements are common; in 3D, use beam or solid depending on slenderness and detailing.
Always verify stiffness, connection, and construction-stage activation with your design code.
Tech Q7. If unsaturated-soil parameters aren’t lab-tested, can I estimate them from particle-size distribution (and does GTS NX help)?
A. Yes, for preliminary work. GTS NX provides correlations/estimation tools that can derive unsaturated properties from particle-size distribution data. Such estimates are industry-accepted for screening studies, but laboratory-derived SWCC/unsaturated parameters are preferred for design. Calibrate with site data whenever possible.
Tech Q8. How should porous (drain) concrete be represented—beam, shell, or solid—and what are the hydraulic/mechanical implications?
A. Choose the structural element type by slenderness/geometry:
• Beam for slender members; shell for thin walls; solid for non-slender blocks.For hydraulic behavior, beams do not convey flow. If you must model seepage through the porous medium (e.g., drain layers), represent it with shell/solid elements assigned permeability and appropriate boundary conditions. If only mechanical effects are needed, a structural element without flow may suffice.
Tech Q9. When should I use anisotropic permeability instead of isotropic?
A.Use anisotropic permeability when field/lab evidence indicates directional flow behavior—e.g., bedded/laminated soils, foliated rock, jointed masses, layering parallel to slope, or consolidation/drainage problems where kv ≠ kh governs dissipation. If data are unavailable, start with isotropic values, then run sensitivity checks and adopt anisotropy when justified by tests or site characterization.
General Q1. Is this training program free of charge?
A. Yes! The Global Geotechnical Webinar Series 2025 is completely free of charge. Once registered, you’ll get access to all live and on-demand sessions, expert talks, hands-on tasks, and learning materials — at no cost.
General Q2. How do I get the training license?
A. Trial licenses for GTS NX and FEA NX are provided only to registered participants. You can find free trial information in the register confirmation email. If you can't find in your inbox, please contact us via the below link : 🔗 Click
General Q3. Where can I get the assignment files and how should I submit them?
A. You can download the assignment files from the button at the top of the page labeled [Assignment (Model & Tutorial)], and they will also be sent via email after the webinar ends.Once completed, please submit your assignments through the form link below.🔗 Assignment Submission Form.
General Q4. How can I ask a question to MIDAS experts?
A. Please submit your question using the form below. One of our technical experts/regional manager will get back to you shortly.🔗 Submit Your Inquiry(Assignment/Technical)🔗 Submit Your Inquiry (Product/Purchase)
General Q5. How can I receive the certificate of completion?
A. To be eligible for the certificate, please make sure to:
✅ Attend at least 2 live sessions
✅ Submit 2 or more assignments by October 8
Certificates will be emailed to qualified participants on October 15, 2025.