Analytical Method of Calculating Slope Stability by Elasticity Theory and Limit Equilibrium Method

In this paper, the slope before failure is considered as an elastic body subjected to gravity only. With known stress distribution in the slope, stability analysis is carried out by the limit equilibrium method according to the Mohr-Coulomb criterion satisfied by the slip plane. The method proposed in this paper is different from the previous methods, as there is no need to divide the slope into vertical elements or to assume the normal stress distribution on the slip surface. Instead, the solutions are found by directly using the elastic stress solutions in the slope. The equations derived are straightforward and most of them are explicit expressions, which facilitate analyses on the effects of mechanical properties and geometric parameters on the slope stability. This method has clear physical meaning and few assumptions are made.