Limit equilibrium, strength summation and strength reduction methods for assessing slope stability

Traditional limit equilibrium formulations such as the Bishop, Spencer or Morgenstern-Price methods have some inherent weaknesses. To overcome these weaknesses, efforts have been directed at using finite element computed stresses for assessing the stability of slopes. This paper reviews and compares two methods referred to as the Strength Summation Method and the Strength Reduction Method, and concludes that the Strength Reduction Method is more suitable for serviceability (deformation) analyses while the Strength Summation Method is more suitable for stability analyses.