In contrast with the symmetry that is seen beneath footings on level ground

results from theoretical analyses and physical models near an excavation or on slope show that the failure zones are asymmetric. This paper studies on the failure zones of c-φ soils near excavations under vertical ultimate load

and the numerical simulating results obtained by using FLAC-3D approximate to J.Graham's failure zones using the method of stress characteristics in cohesionless slope. Finally

Nγq from numerical simulating technique are compared with large-scale experimental and theoretical values of Nγq in cohesionless slope under various construction conditions; and a brief assessment using numerical simulating method of superposition assumption indicated that the assumption is conservative.