Abstract: The basic theory of limit equilibrium method and finite element shear strength reduction method are illustrated.The stability of the west slope of a open-pit mine are analyzed by using the Slide 60 and Phase2 8.0 software,the safety factor calculated by limit equilibrium method and finite element shear strength reduction method are conducted comparison analysis.The result show that the safety factors calculated by the above two methods are very close with each other,the safety factor calculated by limit equilibrium method is 1.0,the one calculated by finite element shear strength reduction method is 1.04~1.06,they are both low than lowest safety factor (1.25),which indicated that the ground support is required.According to the above analysis results,the cable bolts are applied to reinfore the sliding face.The safety factor of the reinforced slope is 1.25~1.32,which meets the stability safety factor for the west slope of the open-pit mine.The study results of the paper show that the safety factors calculated by limit equilibrium method and finite element shear strength reduction method are in compliance with the actual engineering situation,thus,they are both can be used for the stability analysis of the other slopes in open-pit miens.

Key words: Limit equilibrium method, Finite element shear strength reduction method, Slope stability analysis, Slide 6.0, Phase2 8.0