Abstract: The expression of safety factor for slopes with cracks subjected to seismic forces is deduced through establishing an energy equation using upper bound limit analysis and pseudo-static analysis based on nonlinear Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. Safety factors are calculated using mathematical programming method with combinations of different parameters. A detailed parametric study is performed to determine the influence of slope angle, upper slope angle, horizontal seismic coefficient, vertical seismic coefficient, crack depth, geotechnical parameters on slope stability based on nonlinear failure criterion. Results show that safety factor decreases as the nonlinear parameter and seismic forces increase. Cracks can significantly influence on slope stability under nonlinear failure criterion when crack depth is large, especially for steep slope. When the value of crack depth exceeds a certain value, the beginning of critical failure surface may not pass through the lowest end of crack, but cross at a middle part the crack. It is also observed that when slopes is subjected to seismic effect, the safety factor depends significantly on the nonlinear shear strength parameters. Research results perfect the contents of stability analysis of slopes with cracks and the charts provide an useful reference for design and the construction of slop parameters on stability of slopes with cracks.

Key words: slopes with cracks, nonlinear failure criterion, seismic effect, safety factor, upper bound limit analysis, pseudo-static analysis method