Slope stability analysis by ®nite elements

The majority of slope stability analyses performed in practice still use traditional limit equilibrium approaches involving methods of slices that have remained essentially unchanged for decades. This was not the outcome envisaged when Whitman & Bailey (1967) set criteria for the then emerging methods to become readily accessible to all engineers. The ®nite element method represents a powerful alternative approach for slope stability analysis which is accurate, versatile and requires fewer a priori assumptions, especially, regarding the failure mechanism. Slope failure in the ®nite element model occurs `naturally' through the zones in which the shear strength of the soil is insuf®cient to resist the shear stresses. The paper describes several examples of ®nite element slope stability analysis with comparison against other solution methods, including the in ̄uence of a free surface on slope and dam stability. Graphical output is included to illustrate deformations and mechanisms of failure. It is argued that the ®nite element method of slope stability analysis is a more powerful alternative to traditional limit equilibrium methods and its widespread use should now be standard in geotechnical practice.