FLAC stands for "fast lagrangian analysis of continua", and is a very sophicticated software capable of many things, including dynamic analysis. It is based on finite difference approach, requires mesh establishement. FLAC/slope also exists, and is easier to learn/use. I would use whichever is readiliy available or have experience with. Understanding the soil behavior and the conditions/restictions for the slope at hand is much more important than using either of the software.

Slope/w is apart of GeoStudio Suite and it is widely used for creating models, analyzing it, and viewing results. Please note that SLOPE/W can also perform finite element stress-based stability and dynamic stability analyses. It uses finite element computed stresses from either SIGMA/W or QUAKE/W to calculate a stability factor by computing both total shear resistance and mobilized shear stress along the entire slip surface. SLOPE/W then computes a local stability factor for each slice. Slope/W can model rock slope, earth dam, reinforced earth, slope with seismic load, unsaturated slope, etc.

On the contrary, FLAC is from Itasca Consulting Group, based on Finite Difference Approach. It is used widely in case of rock slope stability analysis by different academic researchers. Its application includes the modelling of tunnel, rockfill and concrete dams, earth retaining structures, harbor structures, pavement and sub-grade, open pit, etc.

For Slope/W can work with other function of Geostudio such as SEEP/W , SIGMA/W and QUAKE/W. You can simulate your process working and co-working another condition if you want to do.

For FLAC/slope, there are reinforcement slope (Soil nail and Rckbolt) function, easier than SLOPE/W. FLAC/slope is easy for use because not have complex function like as SLOPE/W.

Ahmed Hossain

Depends what contitutive model you wanna to analysis. If just need to analysis elastic or mohr column model, it is enough for using slope/w. Else if wanna to anaylsis Cam-Clay model, using abaqus, midas would be better way

Hi, there are pro and cons for each software.

Slope/w is widely used tool due to easiness and less cost. This program is developed based on Limit Equilibrium methods. The limit equilibrium method of slices is based purely on the principle of statics; that is, the summation of moments, vertical forces, and horizontal forces. The method says nothing about strains and displacements, and as a result it does not satisfy displacement compatibility. Due to this, we don't know the deformation of stable and unstable slope.

FLAC is finite difference method and needs a lot of time to generate model, meshing and assiging suitable constitutive model and to run. In FLAC you can write the program as per your /client requirement. It is more versatile and much costlier than Slope/w.