Abstract: Based on the fluid-solid coupling theory，the finite element strength reduction method was used to analyze the seepage stability characteristics of the tailing dam，and the safety factor was obtained the above analysis results were compared with the results by the Sweden slice method and Bishop method，and the results showed:The location of transfixion plastics-zone by the strength method was in accordance with the critical sliding surface by the Sweden slice method and the Bishop method.The safe factor by the strength method was very close to that by the Sweden slice method and the Bishop method.From the above results，the conclusion could be drawn that the strength reduction was viable to determine the safe factor of the tailing dam.Forthermore，the transfixion plastics-zone by the strength reduction could be regarded as the initial sliding surface for the limit equilibrium method to accurately search for the critical sliding surface，which was also helpful to reduce the computational complexity.

Key words: Fluid-solid coupling theory, Strength reduction method, Limit equilibrium method, Safe factor, Tailing dam, ABAQUS