Discussion on Safety Factors of Slope and Landslide Engineering Design

The slope and landslide stability safety factors and landslide thrust force design values in different safety factor definitions are different. It is necessary to make a unified safety factor definition. This paper presents a discussion on several different safety factor definitions. It is reasonable that the slope stability factor definition uses strength reduction method which best conforms to slope's realities. In special circumstances, over loading safety factor may better suit the realities. The landslide load-increased factor was adapted in imbalanced thrust force method. This method was adapted in the ground engineering generally. But it does not fit the mechanical condition of landslide. The resistant strength will increase with the load-increased. So this safety factor definition is not suitable to use in slope and landslide engineering design.