Description

Traditionally geotechnical practitioners have relied heavily on experience-based judgement to assess whether the stability of a slope is adequate to allow development, complemented by the use of numerical techniques such as the factor of safety concept to provide reassurance. New techniques, which have arisen out of other areas such as the nuclear and hazardous waste industries and dam safety, are now available to assist geotechnical practitioners in quantifying the uncertainty associated with the stability of slopes. These techniques use both numerical methods and/or subjective judgement to assist in quantifying the uncertainties inherent in any system such as a slope, and are collectively referred to as Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA).