Chugh comments on a previously published 3D slope stability method that reported strong sensitivity of the computed factor of safety to Poisson’s ratio. Re-analysing the example using FLAC, FLAC3D and CLARA-W, he demonstrates that realistic variations in Poisson’s ratio should have only minor impact on stability when stresses are computed consistently. The discussion suggests that the original method’s stress integration and assumptions were flawed and stresses the need for rigorous verification when coupling stress–deformation and limit-equilibrium analyses.
