Abstract
The stability of a vertical cut with a variable corner angle is analyzed by use of the upper bound theorem of the generalized theory of perfect plasticity. A three-dimensional collapse mechanism, symmetric in the vertical plane bisecting the corner opening, is assumed. Quantitative results are presented graphically and the physical meaning and general implication of these results are discuseed. Included in this generalized approach is the special case where the corner angle is equal to 180 degrees, for which a solution exists.
