Numerical challenges, incorporating non-uniqueness, non-convexity, undefined gradients, and high curvature, of the positive level sets of yield function F > 0 are encountered in stress integration when utilizing the return-mapping algorithm family. These phenomena are illustrated by an assessment of four typical yield functions: modified spatially mobilized plane criterion, Lade criterion, Bigoni-Piccolroaz criterion, and micromechanics-based upscaled Drucker-Prager criterion. One remedy to these issues, named the Hop-to-Hug (H2H) algorithm, is proposed via a convexification enhancement upon the classical cutting-plane algorithm (CPA). The improved robustness of the H2H algorithm is demonstrated through a series of integration tests in one single material point. Furthermore, a constitutive model is implemented with the H2H algorithm into the Abaqus/Standard finite-element platform. Element-level and structure-level analyses are carried out to validate the effectiveness of the H2H algorithm in convergence. All validation analyses manifest that the proposed H2H algorithm can offer enhanced stability over the classical CPA method while maintaining the ease of implementation, in which evaluations of the second-order derivatives of yield function and plastic potential function are circumvented. (c) 2025 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/ 4.0/).

The stability of slopes or the occurrence of mass movements is directly related to the incidence of rainfall. In this work a qualitative analysis of the historical series was made for the period between May 2012 and February 2019, where the development of pore pressures was evaluated, analyzing the behaviors of the instruments, correlating their readings with precipitation and with variations in the water table. Pore pressure was measured using vibrating wire piezometers, and precipitation data was collected using pluviometers with tipper buckets, whose readings were obtained by a datalogger model ML1-FL. From the data collected, it was possible to estimate the duration of a rainfall event for the soil, as that time interval between the occurrence of rain and the dissipation of excess pore pressure. These intervals are between 3 and 26 days in duration. The main results were: the period between the end of June and August is the driest and the highest precipitation occurs from December to early June; Precipitation of up to 100 mm of daily accumulation is well distributed throughout the year and occurs in all seasons. The pore pressure values developed were low, with a maximum of 9.3 kPa for the deepest piezometer on elevation 92.40 m. There is a delay between the occurrence of precipitation and the recording of the peak pore pressure. The in-depth knowledge of variations in precipitation and pore pressure can support the development of more robust geotechnical engineering projects. This preventive approach, based on concrete data and correlations, offers a more reliable strategy for mitigating the risks associated with landslides, directly contributing to the safety and continuous operation of the BR-101/SC highway.