Comparison of Factor of Safety of a Roadway Slope Based on the Limit Equilibrium Method and Shear Strength Reduction Method

In the assessment of slopes, factor of safety (Fs) still remain the primary indexes for determining stability of slopes. Traditional limit-equilibrium techniques are the most commonly-used analysis methods, which consider slope material as rigid body. Recently, however, rapid advances in computer technology and sustained development have pushed the numerical analysis like the method of fast lagrangian analysis of continua three dimensions (FLAC3D) to the forefront of geotechnical practice. In numerical analysis, shear strength reduction method (SRM) is mainly adopted to calculate factor of safety for slopes based on Mohr-Coulomb model. A roadway slope is chosen as the study subject in the present paper. The calculation method of limit equilibrium method and shear strength reduction method are adopted to analyze the stability of the slope. Some useful conclusions are obtained to provide guidance for the real practice.