MacSlope - Slope Stability Analysis For The Mac OS Desktop

Blog

2019-02-01

MacSlope v1.8 - Mojave Support, Multithreading, and More

Best wishes to everyone in 2019! This year brings a new release for MacSlope OSX, version 1.8.

The release of Mojave required an update to adress some UI bugs, which have been resolved and support for the dark theme is included.

This update will also provide a significant performance boost as analyses will now run multithreaded. Users with multiple core processors should expect at least a 2x increase in the speed of the calculations.

The method proposed by Chugh (1995) for calculating active and passive earth pressures under static and seismic loading conditions has also been implemented in this version. Select "Back Analyze Support Force" from the More menu in the analysis results pane to calculate the external support force for the selected trial. The desired factor of safety and direction of thrust are user specified, and the result of magnitude and location on the wall is shown on drawing.

Additionally, support has been added for easily viewing removed and non-converged trials.

We encourage you to update to the latest version.

You can try MacSlope today for free, for 30 days, available for Mac OS. Download it here.

2018-01-16

MacSlope v1.7 Release

We hope that the new year finds you well, and are happy to announce the v1.7 update for MacSlope.

This release features numerous improvements to the application UI, which are summarized below:

Trace View - Import PDF and common file images (jpg, gif, bmp, png) for tracing over using the Line Tool (Select "Trace Image..." from the File menu).
Trial Display - Adjust trial display settings and view/sort all calculated trials from the analysis results pane.
UI - Drawing Bounds - Edit the drawing bounds from the drawing bounds pane.
UI - Assign materials/reinforcements by drag n' drop.
Printing - Sized according to the currently displayed view.

We encourage you to update to the latest version. MacSlope and MobiSlope continue to be fully compatible, and drawing files from previous versions can be used.

You can try MacSlope today for free, for 30 days, available for Mac OS. Download it here.

2017-05-15

v1.6 - Optimization, Anisotropy, and Probabilistic Analysis

Greetings! We have been busy developing another major update (v1.6) for both MacSlope and MobiSlope.

This release features the introduction of probabilistic and sensitivity analysis, optimization using non-circular slip surfaces, and support for material anisotropy. Numerous improvements have also been made to the UI to improve the work flow and provide more flexibility of the display. A complete summary of the updates follows:

Optimization

Although circular slip surfaces can provide an excellent approximation to many observed slope failure shapes, in many cases the critical slip surface shape is non-circular, due to anisotropy, discontinuities, external loading conditions, or other factors. The optimization technique implemented in MacSlope is based on that proposed by Greco (1996), and provides an efficient algorithm to search for a more critical FOS using a monte carlo process.
Additionally, a Random Optimization search type has been implemented that generates random slip surfaces and then optimizes each trial slip surface using the optimization procedure.

Probabilistic and Sensitivity Analysis

Carry out probabilistic and sensitivity analysis by modelling material and reinforcement parameters as random variables. Material parameters include unit weight, cohesion, friction, r_u, B-bar, and the strength with depth and anisotropic parameters. Reinforcement parameters include tensile, shear, and pullout resistance parameters, spacing, bond length, and area coverage. Random variables can modelled using the normal, log-normal, and uniform distributions.
Calculate the probability of failure (P (F < 1) and create plots of FOS Probability Distribution, Random Variable Distributions, and FOS Sensitivity. Visualize plots of the statistical distributions as you create them.

Material Anisotropy

Support for anisotropic materials has been added. Either specify Anisotropic Ranges as strength parameters defined over specific ranges of slice base angles, or implement the transverse isotropic model.

Piezometric and Specified Surfaces - Redesign of input and detection to allow easier management of multiple surfaces.
Select multiple objects for deletion by holding the command (⌘) key.
Customize color display schemes in app preferences.

We encourage you to update to the latest version. MacSlope and MobiSlope continue to be fully compatible, and drawing files from previous versions can be used.

Please check out the latest verification examples, Comparison with Analytical Bearing Capacity and Slip Surface Optimization and Anisotropy, in which the use of the optimization technique is demonstrated and its limitations discussed. In addition to the use of impenetrable materials to model non-circular slip surfaces, the use of optimization and anisotropy together to easily model bedding planes is also looked at.

You can try MacSlope today for free, for 30 days, available for Mac OS. Download it here.

Try MobiSlope today with a free subscription, available on the .

2017-01-18

MobiSlope v1.5 Release

Happy new year! We hope 2017 finds you well, and are pleased to announce a major update (v1.5) for both MacSlope and MobiSlope.

This release features a revamped user interface, with the ability to model reinforcement forces, and efficiently analyze sensitivities in geometry, materials, and analysis settings using stage management.

What's new for this release?

Reinforcements - Model reinforcement forces using parameters specified for anchors, geosynthetics, or piles. Use advanced strength parameters to customize reinforcement force distribution, inclination, magnitude, and dependence on the computed FOS. Save reinforcements to library for re-use.
Stage Management - Easily create and swap stages in and out to efficiently analyze changes in the drawing geometry, materials, and analysis settings.
UI - A revamped status and tool bar provide quick access to analysis settings, stage management, and drawing preferences.
UI - Display and re-layout the heat map legend.
Point Loads - In addition to surcharge loads, now you can model point load forces at the ground surface.
Reporting - Use staged results and custom plot content in reports.

We encourage you to update to the latest version. MacSlope and MobiSlope continue to be fully compatible, and drawing files from previous versions can be used.

In addition, new verification examples are available, with the intent to demonstrate use of the different types of reinforcement available to be included, and illustrate how the various parameters/options impact their implementation in the analysis.

You can try MacSlope today for free, for 30 days, available for Mac OS. Download it here.

Try MobiSlope today with a free subscription, available on the .

2016-10-03

MacSlope/MobiSlope Joint Update

We are pleased to announce a joint release for both MacSlope (v1.2) and MobiSlope (v1.4).

What's new for this release?

Measure Tool - Add distance and angle measurements to drawing.
Improved Range Tool - Now target potential slip surfaces passing through ranges specified anywhere in the drawing geometry (ie. subsurface as well as surface).
Bug fixes for current iOS (10.0.2) - resolves UI issues causing crashes on iOS 10.

In addition the points and piezo points tools have been combined with the line and piezo line tools respectively for simplicity of use and to save UI space for future features.

Don't forget to update to the latest version.

You can try MacSlope today for free, for 30 days, available for Mac OS. Download it here.

Try MobiSlope today with a free subscription, available on the .

2017-01-18

MacSlope v1.5 Release

Reinforcements - Model reinforcement forces using parameters specified for anchors, geosynthetics, or piles. Use advanced strength parameters to customize reinforcement force distribution, inclination, magnitude, and dependence on the computed FOS. Save reinforcements to library for re-use.
Stage Management - Easily create and swap stages in and out to efficiently analyze changes in the drawing geometry, materials, and analysis settings.
UI - Tools now make use of editor panes which slide in and out automatically, to reduce the clutter of having too many open windows.
UI - A revamped status and tool bar provide quick access to analysis settings, stage management, and drawing preferences.
UI - Display and re-layout material, reinforcement, and heat map legends.
Analysis Results - Plot the line of thrust for Spencer/GLE methods to help verify the physical admissibility of the solution.
Point Loads - In addition to surcharge loads, now you can model point load forces at the ground surface.
Reporting - Use staged results and custom plot content in reports.

2016-10-03

MacSlope/MobiSlope Joint Update

We are pleased to announce a joint release for both MacSlope (v1.2) and MobiSlope (v1.4).

What's new for this release?

Measure Tool - Add distance and angle measurements to drawing.
Improved Range Tool - Now target potential slip surfaces passing through ranges specified anywhere in the drawing geometry (ie. subsurface as well as surface).
Bug fixes for current iOS (10.0.2) - resolves UI issues causing crashes on iOS 10.

2016-07-11

MacSlope Version 1.1 Released

MacSlope version 1.1 has been released.

What's new for this release?

Point Editors - Now you can view and edit point geometry in tabular form.
Import distance-elevation point geometry from .csv files, or copy and paste directly from a spreadsheet application.

These UI improvements are available for regular line geometry, as well as piezometric surfaces and specified surfaces.

You can try MacSlope today for free, for 30 days. Download it here.

Also, check out the latest verification example - Cohesionless slope on saturated clay foundation.

2016-06-01

MacSlope has arrived

MacSlope is here.

MacSlope is an app designed for Mac OSX 10.8+ to calculate the factor of safety of earth slopes, supporting commonly used methods of limit equilibrium slope stability analysis.

MacSlope was inspired by its companion app, MobiSlope, and ported from the iOS to OSX in order to take full advantage of the desktop environment. MacSlope files (.msl) are easily shared with the MobiSlope app.

This release is version 1.0 for MacSlope and version 1.3 for MobiSlope.

What's new for this release?

Create custom reports - produce reports with custom content in PDF and HTML
Trial Warnings - track any warnings that have been generated for each trial (m-alpha, slice base tension, etc.)
Advanced Trial Filters - optionally filter trials containing slices with base tension, interslice tension, or where the available interslice shear has been exceeded
Inclined surcharge loads
Submerged slopes - option to include no strength regions in slice geometry, or add an external hydrostatic force to the top of the slice.

You can now try MacSlope today for free, for 30 days. Download it here.

2016-02-09

MobiSlope App Store Update 1.2

Version 1.2 of MacSlope for iPad is released to the App Store.

What's new in version 1.2?

Support for importing DXF CAD files
Support for Material Library from the file view
Minor bug fix for tension crack handling

2016-01-01

Welcome to MobiSlope

MobiSlope is here!

MobiSlope is an app designed for the iPad to calculate the factor of safety of earth slopes, supporting commonly used methods of limit equilibrium slope stability analysis.

Check it out for free today at the App Store. Try taking the app tour.

MobiSlope was designed to provide an easy and fast interface for drawing and setting up complex geometries and scenarios, while also retaining as much flexibility in the analysis configuration as possible. As a result, there are many preferences and settings in MobiSlope. Take a look at the Documentation for a complete understanding of all the tools and options.

Verification test cases of some commonly studied slope stability problems are included with the app, as demonstration of the agreement between MobiSlope results and published results.

Stay tuned to this blog as we continue to provide example and verification problems, and to keep up to date on the latest app developments.