This NSF funded research is aimed at investigating the spatial path taken by a rigid body as it slides along a frictional surface. The body might represent a dam monolith, bridge footing, or boulder. In order to properly secure the object against failure, it is useful to know the preferential failure route.

If we make the simplifying assumption that the internal angle of friction is identical in every direction along the surface, roughness becomes the critical factor in determining failure route. Roughness depends on scale and at “large” scales becomes an essentially topographic feature. By using the techniques of variational calculus and differential geometry, we are attempting to develop failure routes through geometric considerations alone. Superposition of a shear strength criterion is expected to yield a complete 3D sliding model.

For more information, contact Dom Galic.