STABILITY OF VERTICAL CORNER CUTS. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NUMERICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, 11-15 APRIL 1988, INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA. VOLUMES 1 - 3

This article describes the analytical results of a 3 dimensional (3-d) slope stability method which is based on the variational limit-equilibrium approach. A numerical procedure utilizing these results is also described. Limitations of the variational analysis and of the numerical procedure performance are discussed. Numerical study of the 3-d stability of homogeneous vertical corner cuts with variable angle, considering pore-pressure, is conducted. The results of this study are condensed into design charts which facilitate the determination of the factor of safety as well as the volume of a potentially sliding mass. Comparison of the variational results with published results obtained from a limit-analysis indicates the former ones to be more critical. (TRRL)