Slope stability analysis by the limit equilibrium method based on the finite element method

Abstract：The safety factor of slope is calculated by using the limit equilibrium method based on the finite element analysis (LEMFEA). The results are compared with the results of the strength reduction of the Mohr-Coulomb criterion and circumscribed circle D-P criterion and results of the Spencer method. The comparison shows that the safety factor calculated by LEMFEA is in good agreement with those calculated by the strength reduction of the Mohr-Coulomb criterion Spencer method but is significantly deviated from the result obtained by the strength reduction of the D-P criterion. The calculation method of LEMFEA is described for the existence of the known sliding surface and non-existence of the sliding surface. Large-scale general finite element softwares, such as ANSYS, are used；therefore the calculation of the slope safety factor with this method may be performed easily and has a enough accuracy.