A domino model based method for slope stability

The slices model for slope stability analysis is still the mainstream method for slope analysis and evaluation. However, the existing slice model analysis methods are only based on the whole analysis model to obtain an overall or a constant safety factor, which is an ideal model. The real slope failure is generally a gradual process, and this gradual failure process has many similarities with the collapse of dominoes. Considering the gradual slope instability, a new slice method, the domino model-based analysis method for analyzing the stability of the slope is proposed. The domino model defines a local safety factor of each slice and the safety factor of the slope as well, that is, the safety factor of the slope is determined by the local safety factor of the control slice of the slope. The control slice is the one which has the maximum local safety factor in the form of a sliding surface. The safety factor of the slope is defined as the minimum safety factor of the control slice corresponding to all sliding surfaces. This definition of safety factor is based on the consideration of the progressive failure mechanism of the domino model, which overcomes the limitation of the definition of an overall or a constant safety factor by the traditional slice methods. The soring method and procedure of the domino model-based method are given, and some of its solving characteristics are analyzed through examples.