The finite element or finite difference method and the limit equilibrium method

with their respective merits

were used to analyze soil slope stability in detail. On the basis of the slice and gravity increase methods

a fundamental principle of couple analysis

and a procedure for calculating the slope safety factor were put forward. ANSYS finite element software and finite difference software FLAC were used to determine the most dangerous sliding face and the stress-stain in slopes. The slope safety factor was determined using the slices limit equilibrium method. The calculation shows that the result obtained using couple analysis is close to the results produced using other methods in the example

and the analysis of the effects of the intensity indices is more precise. The results can provide a basis for consolidating design of the sliding slope.