General stability of two-dimensional slopes based on Sarma's method

Abstract

Sarma's method of taking a fictitious accerelation as a measure of safety is used to study a two-dimensional slope. The slope is divided into arbitrary slices. The relations among forces acting on the slices and Sarma's acceleration are assumed to be linear. Consequently, a general analytical expression of Sarma's acceleration is derived by means of Cramer's rule. Furthermore, for four commonly used slice methods with simple relations among the forces on each slice and Sarma's acceleration, a general closed-form solution of Sarma's acceleration is given. An example is calculated and the results agree well with those of Hoek.