Traditional slice methods for slope stability analysis must introduce some assumptions regarding the inter-slice forces and hence lack a rigorous theoretical basis. In this study, a new block method for slope stability analysis is proposed based on Pan’s maximum principle. In this method, the slope is cut into a block system, and the search for the maximum factor of safety is accomplished by a nonlinear mathematical programming method. During the searching process, the magnitude, direction and action point of the inter-block forces are taken as a variable system. The static equilibrium and yield criterion that satisfy the requirement of the statically admissible field of Pan’s maximum principle are used as constraints, and the maximum factor of safety is regarded as the optimization objective. Therefore, the problem of slope stability analysis is transformed into an optimization problem. This method does not introduce any other assumptions except for block rigidity. This approach can compensate for not only the lack of theoretical rigour in the traditional limit equilibrium theory but also the low computing efficiency and the optimization difficulty of the limit analysis finite element method. In this new method, a block system is used to simulate the structural characteristics of a toppling slope and the transfer of the toppling load and moment through the balance of the force and moment. The proposed block method is verified by one case with an analytical solution and two ACDAS test questions; additionally, the proposed method offers a satisfactory result for complex engineering slopes. In addition, both slope sliding and toppling failure can be analysed, and the results determined with the proposed method are close to those determined with the Goodman-Bray method. Because the computing precision of this method is comparable with the limit analysis finite element and its computation cost is as low as that of the limit equilibrium method (LEM), this method demonstrates robust slope stability analysis and has great potential in engineering practice.

用于边坡稳定性分析的传统切片方法必须引入有关切片间力的一些假设，因此缺乏严格的理论基础。本文基于潘氏极大值原理，提出了一种新的边坡稳定分析块法。在这种方法中，将边坡切成一个块系统，并通过非线性数学编程方法完成对最大安全系数的搜索。在搜索过程中，块间力的大小，方向和作用点被视为一个可变系统。将满足潘氏最大原理的静态容许区域的要求的静态平衡和屈服准则作为约束条件，并将最大安全系数视为优化目标。因此，边坡稳定性分析问题转化为优化问题。除块刚度外，此方法不引入任何其他假设。这种方法不仅可以弥补传统极限平衡理论缺乏理论上的严格性，而且可以弥补极限分析有限元方法的低计算效率和优化难度。在这种新方法中，采用块系统来模拟倾覆坡度的结构特征，以及通过力和力矩的平衡来模拟倾覆载荷和力矩的传递。提出的分块方法通过一个案例与一个解析解决方案以及两个ACDAS测试问题进行了验证；此外，所提出的方法为复杂的工程边坡提供了令人满意的结果。此外，可以分析边坡的滑动和倾覆破坏，并且所提出的方法确定的结果与用Goodman-Bray方法确定的结果接近。由于该方法的计算精度与极限分析有限元相当，并且其计算成本与极限平衡法（LEM）一样低，因此该方法具有可靠的边坡稳定性分析能力，在工程实践中具有很大的潜力。