This work has, as its main objective, the development of an efficient and large scale optimizer, that allows the practical application of Numerical Limit Analysis (NLA) with Finite Element Method (FEM) to solve real problems in Geotechnical Engineering. For that purpose, an optimizer was developed for GEOLIMA (GEOtechnical LIMit Analysis) program (Carrión, 2004), based on Interior Points algorithm, computationally more efficient than the existing commercial optimizers. Due to the fact that soils have random properties, the possibility to apply Reliability Analysis with Limit Analysis using the FORM method was also investigated. Initially, Limit Analysis theory was presented together with its numerical formulation using the FEM. In sequence, the use of commercial optimizers was investigated in order to solve the resulting mathematical problem. Subsequently, the theorical foundations of the developed optimizer, based on the Interior Points algorithm were described. A summary of Reliability Analysis was also presented together with a description of computational procedures using FORM and two examples were developed. Finally, analyses of different problems solved with developed optimizer were presented. The obtained results demonstrated the great potential of Numerical Limit Analysis (NLA), in the solution of real problems in Geotechnical Engineering.