Abstract: | Boundary conditions can affect computed factor of safety results in two‐ and three‐dimensional stability analyses of slopes. Commonly used boundary conditions in two‐ and three‐dimensional slope stability analyses via limit‐equilibrium and continuum‐mechanics based solution procedures are described. A sample problem is included to illustrate the importance of boundary conditions in slope stability analyses. The sample problem is solved using two‐ and three‐dimensional numerical models commonly used in engineering practice. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |