15.4.6. Methods of Stability Analysis for Embankment Dams There are several methods for analysing the stability of embankment dams. Of these, the limit equilibrium methods are the ones most commonly used. In these methods, a number of failure surfaces are analysed to determine their factors of safety. The minimum of these values is taken as the factor of safety for the slope under consideration. The failure surface corresponding to the minimum factor of safety, F is termed the ‘‘critical failure surface’’. Obviously, for stable slopes, the value of F should be greater than unity. The methods of stability analysis recommended by Bureau of Indian standards are (12): (i) the standard method of slices, and (ii) the wedge method.
