Estimation of the Limit Slope Equilibrium Based on the Solution of a Geometric Nonlinear Coupled Problem

This article addresses the problem of slope stability from two complementary perspectives. On the one hand, it considers practical issues related to improving the efficiency of construction on subsidence soils. On the other hand, since traditional experimental and theoretical methods proved insufficient, it was necessary to develop new methodological tools for solving this class of problems. A method is developed for calculating slope stability without predefining the shape of the failure surface, using the equations of deformation mechanics for a weighty soil massif under different formulations of the limit-equilibrium condition. The study extends the traditional approach by explicitly incorporating the Coulomb–Mohr limit-equilibrium condition within the deformation theory of plasticity. The finite element method is adopted as the general numerical tool for obtaining the parameters describing the behavior of the structure–soil system. Numerical analysis of the slope-retaining wall interaction shows that the most critical mechanism is the development of maximum horizontal displacements near the retaining walls, caused by shear deformation.