Application of Finite Element Method in Determining Stability of Crater Slopes: Preliminary Report

摘要

A finite element computer program for determining the stress distribution in an elastic material was applied to (a) the Boussinesq line force problem, and (b) a typical nuclear crater. These analyses were performed to explore the potential usefulness of the finite element method for studying the stability of slopes excavated by nuclear explosions. Included also is a brief description of the theory of the finite element method. The limitations of the codes now available to the Waterways Experiment Station are discussed, and suggestions are made for improving them to meet specific requirements for analyzing crater slope stability. (Author)