Abstract: Stepped cut slopes in loose rock masses were constructed adjacent to the Shuisui Highway, Yunnan Province. Based on the typical slope cross sections and typical subsurface geotechnical conditions, both the local and overall critical slip surfaces are computed by using the limit equilibrium search method. The results indicate that the factors of safety under both natural and fully softened conditions are less than 1.0. The constructed stepped cut slopes appear to be unstable. However, it is observed that current slopes are stable and no historical records of any slope failures are evident, even under rainfall conditions.  These cut slopes were back\|analyzed to re\|evaluate the strength parameters of the loose rock masses based on the observed stable conditions. The back\|analyses provide more reasonable strength parameters for the geo\|materials and also improve the reliability of the evaluations of cut slope stabilities.

Key words: rock slopes, limited equilibrium method, slope stability evaluation, back-analysis , 