Slope Stability Analysis (Englisch)

Method of Total Ultimate Equilibrium 

Slope planning on open pit mines is a complex procedure that involves at least two opposite requirements:

1) Economic interest implies higher slope angle (to decrease the amount of waste)
2) On the contrary, the safety of a mine implies smaller slope angle, because the slope stability decreases with increased inclination of a slope.

The stability of partial and general slopes in open pits must be guaranteed in every moment of exploitation. Slope analysis is not limited to the problems in open pit mines. For example, these methods can also be applied to natural slopes (for example, in landslide analysis).

This paper (PDF) is a review of a doctoral thesis concerning some of the classical methods for the slope stability analysis and their weakness in terms of static behavior of the slope body.
Newly introduced approach to the subject (the method of total ultimate equilibrium), which solves the statically indeterminate system involving all three equilibrium equations and achieves better safety factor, is explained in brief, as well as other benefits comparing to the classical methods. Finally, possible directions of further development methods are indicated.