Abstract:Because of the existence of discontinuities such as faults and joints,rock masses have dual characteristics- continuity and discontinuity. Since there is no applicable method to treat the duality at present,it is encouraged to conduct comprehensive comparison using different numerical analysis methods. The analysis of stability and reinforcement of the rock slope in Pubugou Hydraulic Project is taken as an example to show the methodology of the comprehensive comparison study,in which finite element method(belongs to equivalent continuous medium approach) and block element method(belongs to discontinuous medium approach) are applied. Through the comprehensive comparison of the calculation results,the stability and reinforcement schemes of the slope are calibrated. The study also shows that:(1) if the influences of the persistence ratio of joints are considered in the strength parameters only,finite element method and block element method present close results with minor differences;(2) compared with block element method,finite element method provides larger displacement,yield zone and the rock bolt stress. The reason is that the deformation of the intact rock can be considered in the finite element method,while the block element method can only take the deformation of joints into consideration.