Optimal design of anchor cables layout and length for slope reinforcement based on PSO algorithm

Determining the optimal cable location and cable length is a frequently encountered but under-addressed problem in slope engineering. To address this issue, an optimization technique for determining the optimal cable layout and minimum cable length was proposed based on the safety factor of the slope. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was used to calculate the safety factor of a slope reinforced with anchor cables by using the strength reduction method, and the anchor cable layout and length were adjusted based on the PSO algorithm. By using this method, the minimum anchor cable length that stabilized the slope was obtained, and the location of the anchor cables was determined; moreover, the stability of the slope was guaranteed. A numerical simulation example was performed to validate the proposed method, the numerical simulation results demonstrated that the proposed technique was reliable and workable, and that the optimal cable layout and minimum cable length can be determined with the PSO algorithm. In contrast to the conventional anchor cable scheme, the stability of the slope and the minimum investment were both considered in the proposed method.