Abstract
ABSTRACT This paper presents a stability analysis of vertical cohesive slopes with a finite length (perpendicular to cross sections of slopes). The method of analysis is based on three-dimensional limit equilibrium techniques and variational calculus. The shapes of three-dimensional critical failure surfaces were determined exactly and found to be split cylinders with curved end caps. Then the three-dimensional factors of safety were calculated as the functions of the ratio of failure length to vertical slope height. These factors of safety were higher than the two-dimensional factors as indicated by Baligh and Azzouz (1975), etc. The method of analysis of this study could be extended to any inclined cohesive slope. The solutions obtained here give the least upper bound of the problem in limit analysis. In practice they can be applied to evaluate the end effects of vertical cuts or excavations in clays in narrow areas.
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