Computation of the safety factor for slope stability using discontinuous deformation analysis and the vector sum method

This study introduces the vector sum method into discontinuum-based methods by considering the sliding vector and the stress state of the discrete block system. The sliding direction computation and force projection in the new approach are detailed, and the safety factor is solved by explicit equations. The vector sum method is implemented in the discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) program and is used to compute the safety factors for two numerical examples. A comparison of the solutions obtained with the theoretical analysis and limit equilibrium analysis demonstrates that the new method is suitable for calculating the safety factor of a slope.