Determining the unique direction of sliding in three-dimensional slope stability analysis

The present study developed a new method to calculate the unique direction of sliding. In addition, a computer code was written to generate a realistic three-dimensional model of slopes and perform slope stability analysis. The application of the presented method was verified by re-analyzing two benchmark slope stability problems from the literature and a hypothetical slope stability problem including four different slopes. This method is suitable for geometrically complex slopes since there is no need to define a symmetrical plane for the slope. Moreover, the automatic process of the presented method makes it suitable for use in advanced search algorithms to determine the critical slip surface of slopes. These outcomes may contribute to managing the problems of conventional two-dimensional and three-dimensional slope stability analyses in terms of complex slopes and resolve the shortcomings of the previous methods in determining the direction of sliding.