Abstract: The stability of single and double side slopes is studied with the strength reduction method and the finite element analysis software ABAQUS. Firstly,the feasibility of the method is validated with typical examples. Then the stability of single and double side soil slopes with different slope parameters,including slope angle and height,soil cohesive strength and friction angle,is analyzed by the model simulation. The influencing characteristics and laws of the slope parameters are discussed on the factor of safety for the two kinds of slopes. The occurrence and expansion of soil plastic strain zone are also displayed. The following results are found. (1)The variation of the factor with single slope parameter,slope angle,slope height or soil cohesive strength,soil friction angle is basically consistent and approximately linear. The influence laws on the stability of single and double side slopes are the same. (2)The stability of the double side slope is lower than that of the single side slope. But when the geometric and physical parameters of the slope are within a certain range,the two tend to be consistent. (3)It does not appear at the same time between the inflection point of displacement curve at the top of the slope and the plastic zone of the slope. There are differences between the different criteria for evaluating the stability of the soil slope. It is suggested that double side slope or even more complex slope analysis model should be used for slope stability evaluation in practical engineering,and different critical state criteria of slope stability should be used synthetically.