Abstract: The aim of the study is to analyze stability of slope under the action of bolt using the principle of minimum potential energy. Forces of unit sliding body are projected on sliding direction of slope to solve shear stress of supplying shear potential energy. Through static equilibrium equations in the direction of the imaginary displacements of unit body, the analytical solution of shear stress distribution on the sliding surface is obtained,and a model for calculation of shear force is constructed. At the same time, the line strain energy and bending strain energy of the bolt are considered when the total potential energy function of the slope is established; and an improved stability analysis method based on minimum potential energy for the is proposed under bolt. A comparative analysis between the traditional algorithm and proposed procedure is made via a case study. Bolt parameters impact on the safety factor of the slope is examed. Research shows that the proposed calculation method is feasible and reasonable; bolt bending strain energy can be neglected when solving slope safety factor; bolt vertical spacing, length, anchorage angle, the anchoring force and distance of the first row of bolt from the ground have significant influence on of safety factor; and the influence of bolt stiffness level on the slope safety factor is low. With the increase of bolt length, curve of slope safety factor shows variation tends to increase first and then stable; when the angle of anchorage is 22°, the safety factor of the slope has the best value.

Key words: bolt, slope, shear strength, factor safety