Abstract: According to the shortest path theory obtained from the graph theory， the calculation formula of slope safety factor is deduced by combining the finite element method， the limit equilibrium method and the dynamic programming method. Through programming， the most dangerous sliding surface of slope can be automatically searched. The stress field and horizontal displacement field of a high steep rock slope in a gold mine are analyzed by numerical simulation， and the numerical simulation analysis is proved be reliable by comparing with field monitoring data. The most dangerous sliding surface of the slope is searched by the improved method， and the safety factor of the slope is calculated. The calculated results are basically in agreement with the numerical simulation results， which proves that the improved method is correct. It has guiding significance for stability analysis of similar high steep rock slopes.

Key words: Rock slope, Finite element method, Limit equilibrium method, Shortest path theory