Capillary barrier for slope stabilization

• Main Authors: Rahardjo, Harianto, Leong, Eng Choon, Fredlund, D. G., Wilson, G. W., Toll, D. G.
• Other Authors: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Format: Research Report
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering::Geotechnical
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/5179
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This report is a summary of the findings of RG 7/99 research project entitled "Capillary Barrier for Slope Stabilization".This project was undertaken with an objective to study the effectiveness of capillary barrier in stabilizing residual soil slopes against rainfall-induced slope failures under the climatic conditions in Singapore. The project involves examination of the behavior of a capillary barrier by conducting laboratory experiments in a one-dimensional 'soil column' and a two-dimensional 'infiltration box' under different soil types, soil thickness and different rainfall conditions relevant to tropical climate. The use of local compacted residual soils as a capillary barrier for minimizing infiltration was also investigated. The project also included numerical studies in order to understand and to recommend optimum design of capillary barriers as a soil cover to minimize infiltration.