Analytical solutions for three-dimensional stability of limited slopes
A method of three-dimensional limited slope stability analysis is presented here based on the upper-bound theorem of the limit analysis approach. A rotating collapse mechanism is considered in which energy dissipation takes place along curve velocity discontinuities. In the frictional soils, the failure surface has the shape of logarithm helicoids, with track outline defined by log-spirals. In the cohesive soils, the shape of the failure surface is torus. Angle is considered at slope top, and the critical height is less than top with no inclination. Numerical results of the proposed algorithm are presented in the form of nondimensional graphs. Some examples illustrate the practical use of the results.