The use of the simple genetic algorithm in finding the critical factor of safety in slope stability analysis

A simple genetic algorithm (SGA) is applied to the search for the minimum factor of safety in slope stability analysis. The method is shown to be superior to simple optimisation routines,which can find false minima, and to 'brute force' approaches, which require the analysis of a very large number of possibilities. An approach to implementing SGA is defined and refined, indicating principles which may be used in applying the method to other engineering problems.