Abstract: In this paper, according to the limit equilibrium theory of rigid body, the recursion formula and the cumulative summation formula of improved transfer coefficient method were created, based on the pseudo-overloading method. It was demonstrated that the transfer coefficient method is the approximate solution of especial solution of the improved transfer coefficient method, while the force of inter-slice is more than zero or equal to zero. In this case, it is feasible to calculate the stability coefficient using the improved transfer coefficient method instead of the transfer coefficient method. When the factor of safety is given, if the landslide thrust is quite greater (such as 1 000 kN/m), it is basically feasible to use the improved transfer coefficient method instead of the transfer coefficient method. In other cases, there exists some risk of safety by using transfer coefficient method to calculate landslide stability coefficient and landslide thrust, particularly when tensile stresses arise among all landslide slices. On the premise in compliance with the existing norms, the improved transfer coefficient method replacing the transfer coefficient method is imperative.

Key words: landslide , stability assossment , transfer coefficient method