Limit analysis for the classic problems of soil mechanics

The methods of slices with vertical and inclined interfaces described in this paper are based on the upper bound and lower bound theorems of plasticity respectively. The method of vertical slices can be extended to the area of active earth pressure, while that of inclined slices can be applied in bearing capacity analysis. The numerical approaches included in this method for finding the critical failure modes allows the method to be applied to problems with complicated geometry, layered cross section and ground water conditions.