Stability analysis of slopes using the vector sum numerical manifold method

The NMM (numerical manifold method) has shown its ability to solve continuum and discontinuum engineering problems in the same framework. In the present paper, the vector sum NMM (VSNMM) is proposed to investigate the stability of slopes. With the (vector sum numerical manifold method) VSNMM, the FOSs (factors of safety) of slopes are obtained using the real stress fields of the slopes. Compared with the limit equilibrium methods, the deformation and stress field of a slope can be obtained using the VSNMM. Besides, the computational cost of the VSNMM is much less than that of the strength reduction numerical manifold method (SRNMM), since only one elasto-plastic analysis is needed in the VSNMM, while a series of elasto-plastic analyses is needed in the SRNMM. Based on the VSNMM, the stability analyses of two slopes including a homogeneous slope and an inhomogeneous slope with three different materials are conducted. The numerical results based on the two slopes show that the VSNMM can accurately calculate the FOSs of the slopes.