Slip Search Method Overview
The Search Method options in the Slip Surface Options dialog allow you to choose the primary search method for the critical surface search. Note:
- The Search Method option is only available if the Surface Generation Method = Search Methods.
- It is NOT available if the Surface Generation Method = User Defined Surfaces.
- The available Search Methods depend on the Surface Type.
Search Method
The Search Methods generate surfaces according to the currently selected Surface Type (sphere, ellipsoid, multi-planar). The primary Search Method options are:
- Grid Search (Sphere only)
- Cuckoo Search (Sphere, Ellipsoid, Multi-Planar)
- Particle Swarm Search (Sphere, Ellipsoid, Multi-Planar)
- Auto Refine Search (Sphere only)
For details on each method see the above links.
- Sphere - if the Surface Type = Sphere, then the selected Search Method will generate spherical slip surfaces. Sphere can be used with all search methods.
- Ellipsoid - if the Surface Type = Ellipsoid, then the selected Search Method will generate ellipsoidal slip surfaces. Ellipsoid can only be used with Cuckoo Search or Particle Swarm.
- Spline – if the Surface Type = Spline, then the selected Search Method will generate spline surfaces. Spline can only be used with Cuckoo Search or Particle Swarm.
- Multi-Planar - if the Surface Type = Multi-Planar, then you must define search planes with the Add Search Plane by Surface option, and you can use either Cuckoo Search or Particle Swarm search methods.
Surface Altering Optimization
The Surface Altering Optimization option in the Slip Surface Options dialog is also a slip surface search method. It is listed separately from the primary search methods, because it is an optional method, and is performed AFTER the primary search.
The Surface Altering Optimization option uses the results of the primary Search Method (spherical, ellipsoidal or spline surface), converts this to a spline surface if necessary, and searches for a spline surface with a lower safety factor.
See the Surface Altering Optimization topic for details.