Abstract: Element integration method provides a general approach for slope stability analysis based on the upper bound limit theorem in plasticity. Small triangle elements are used to discretize the slope media. A kinematically admissiable velocity field is supposed independed with the element meshing. Work done by the body forces, surface loads, as well as internal energy dissipations within an element are convenient to obtain under such a failure mechanism. The whole energy can be calculated from the energy integration among all the elements. The safety factor can therefore be solved from the upper bound limit theorem, and its minimum value can be obtained from optimization method. For single block mechanism, such as plane slip surface, or log-spiral slip surface, the validity of this method has been verified from three typical examples.

Key words: slope stability, limit analysis, upper bound method, element, nonlinear programming