Global analysis on slope stability and its engineering application

In hydraulic engineering, sometimes it is necessary to consider the stability of sliding bodies with lateral frictional boundaries. Neither the existing three dimensional limit equilibrium methods nor the commercial software products are able to treat such situations. The three dimensional factor of safety is accordingly underestimated; while the shearing strength based on the three dimensional back analysis is overestimated. In this study, the lateral boundaries are regarded as the part of the slip surface. Based on the expression of the normal pressure on the slip surface and the patch interpolation, a rigorous solution for the three dimensional limit equilibrium analysis is realized. Meanwhile, the proposed procedure is applied to the stability analysis of the slope with a cable platform on the right bank in Da Gang Shan hydraulic project under construction.