Discussion on force between columns of three-dimensional limit equilibrium for slope stability analysis

Based on the movement law of the potential sliding body sliding in the inclined plane by dead weight effect, the assumption that the direction of the anti-sliding force is perpendicular to the intersecting line of the sliding surface and the horizontal plane are proposed. Citing a concept of played factor of inter-slice shear strength, a three-dimensional limit equilibrium method for calculating slope stability are proposed using force equilibrium of each pillar and moment equilibrium of the whole slope body in three directions. Through case study, when all the shear forces among columns are neglected, the safety factor is similar to the result of two-dimensional Spencer method. If considering part of the shear forces among columns, the safety factor is similar to the result of the reference [5]. If considering all the forces among the columns including the contribution of transverse shear force on the slope stability, the safety factor is the highest; this assumption can reflect actual conditions of slope better and the results are closer to reality.