| Abstract | Use of inclined slices in slope stability analyses is presented, based on method of slices using moment equilibrium condition. This study is divided into two parts, they are calculation of stress state in embankment and the slope stability analyses. The first part is conducted to evaluate the stress state by finite element method, based on nonlinear elasticity theory , and also by analytical solution, based on linear elasticity theory, under plane strain condition. The results obtained from the analytical solution are nearly reasonable, except the horizontal stresses, compared with those calculated by finite element method. The second one is significant part for (i) Determination of whether or not the assumptions in conventional slope stability analyses are reasonable, and (ii) Proposal of a simple, reasonable and cheap method, incorporating inclined slices, in slope stability analyses. From (i), the results can be obtained from study on inters lice force and force polygons of each slice, using stress calculated by finite element method and analytical solution. It is shown that it may not be reasonable to neglect the interslice forces, and the direction of interslice force is not constant, but is approximated by a sinusoidal curve . Calculation of factors of safety of any slip surface has a significant role for determination of utility and effectiveness of proposed technique, using inclined slices. To check the accuracy of these factors of safety, they were compared with those obtained from finite element method and the analytical solution. The results showed that there was improvement of factor of safety, which approaches the accurate factor of safety, for method of inclined slices. This method is based on assumption of the Fellenius method, and the optimum angle of inclined slices is - 30 degrees. Nevertheless, there is no modification to assumption of Fellenius method. From the comparative factors of safety, the analytical solution may be superior to the conventional slope stability analyses since the factor of safety is smaller and there is no need for the interslice force assumption, however, this method can be used only in the homogeneous soil. |