Three-dimensional stability of compound slope using limit analysis method

This paper investigates three-dimensional (3D) stability of a compound soil slope with two inclination angles using the limit analysis method. The current limit analysis involves the toe-failure, face-failure, and base-failure mechanisms of the slope, all of which are possible 3D failure mechanisms. By reducing the current compound slope to a simple slope, the validity and efficiency of the present analysis are examined by comparing the current results with published solutions. The 3D stability of a compound soil slope is studied schematically for a wide range of parameters, and the stability charts are presented. The effects of slope shape (i.e., concave and convex shapes) and depth coefficient on the slope stability are investigated graphically. The graphs of critical failure surfaces are also presented to demonstrate the effects of slope shape and depth coefficient on the failure mechanism of a compound soil slope.