Research on critical height and stability of slopes based on upper bound limit analysis method

A computational model for critical height of simple homogeneous slopes is presented based on the upper bound limit analysis theorem and the shear strength reduction technique with the rotational failure mechanism and the failure surface assumed to be a log-spiral surface. The seismic force and factor of safety are both introduced into the analysis of slopes in this method. The results are compared with those of the limit equilibrium method, indicating that the results are in agreement with those from the simplified Bishop method, a bit more unconservative than those from the Fellenius method. The proposed method will provide some beneficial guidance for critical height design and stability analysis of homogeneous slopes.