Jimenez Fernandez, Jose CarlosCastanon-Jano, LauraGaute Alonso, AlvaroBlanco-Fernandez, ElenaGonzalez Fernandez, Juan CarlosCenteno Gonzalez, VictorCastro-Fresno, DanielGarcia-Sanchez, David2021Jimenez Fernandez , J C , Castanon-Jano , L , Gaute Alonso , A , Blanco-Fernandez , E , Gonzalez Fernandez , J C , Centeno Gonzalez , V , Castro-Fresno , D & Garcia-Sanchez , D 2021 , ' 3D numerical simulation of slope-flexible system interaction using a mixed FEM-SPH model ' , Ain Shams Engineering Journal , vol. unknown , no. 2 , 101592 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2021.09.0192090-4479researchoutputwizard: 11556/1214Publisher Copyright: © 2021 THE AUTHORSFlexible membranes are light structures anchored to the ground that protect infrastructures or dwellings from rock or soil sliding. One alternative to design these structures is by using numerical simulations. However, very few models were found until date and most of them are in 2D and do not include all their components. This paper presents the development of a numerical model combining Finite Element Modelling (FEM) with Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) formulation. Both cylindrical and spherical failure of the slope were simulated. One reference geometry of the slope was designed and a total of 21 slip circles were calculated considering different soil parameters, phreatic level position and drainage solutions. Four case studies were extracted from these scenarios and simulated using different dimensions of the components of the system. As a validation model, an experimental test that imitates the soil detachment and its retention by the steel membrane was successfully reproduced.10599399enginfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessjournal article10.1016/j.asej.2021.09.019Slope protectionFlexible systemsNumerical simulationFEMSPHSoil-structure interactionSlope protectionFlexible systemsNumerical simulationFEMSPHSoil-structure interactionGeneral EngineeringProject IDinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/769373/EU/Future proofing strategies FOr RESilient transport networks against Extreme Events/FORESEEinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/769373/EU/Future proofing strategies FOr RESilient transport networks against Extreme Events/FORESEEFunding InfoThe FORESEE project has received funding from the EuropeanUnion’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program undergrant agreement No 769373.The FORESEE project has received funding from the EuropeanUnion’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program undergrant agreement No 769373.http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85116606428&partnerID=8YFLogxK