A Survey of Stability and Deformation Analysis of Slopes

A brief review is given of stability and deformation analysis of slopes, focused on the limit equilibrium method (Part 1) and the finite element method (Part 2). In part 1, historical development of slice and column methods is first summarized. Common characteristics as a single value factor of safety analysis for the conventional methods are then made clear. These are followed by summaries of the central ideas of five typical factor of safety equations. In Part 2, principle of finite element method and how to apply it to slope problems are briefly presented, emphasizing that FEM can handle deformation behavior which LEM cannot. Future subjects in this field are also indicated.