Abstract
Limit equilibrium method (LEM) analysis of slope stability has been commonplace in geotechnical engineering for many years. The factor of safety calculated by a LEM analysis remains an industry standard of design. The Shear Strength Reduction (SSR) technique using finite element method (FEM) analysis to predict a factor of safety for slopes has also been in existence for several decades. Recent software tools allow the improved analysis of 3D slope stability through the LEM and SSR techniques. The advantages of a 3D SSR analysis over 3D LEM analysis are that stresses and deformations can be more accurately accounted for in a slope stability analysis. Assumptions are not needed regarding the shape, location and sliding direction of the failure surface. The purpose of this paper is primarily to compare 3D FEM-SSR stability analysis with 3D LEM analysis through the examination of benchmark examples. In general, wellmatched results are obtained between these two methods.
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