Unsaturated soil mechanics for slope stabilization

Rainfall-induced slope failures commonly occur in the unsaturated zone above groundwater table in many steep residual soil slopes. Dynamic variations in groundwater table and flux boundary conditions across ground surface result in changes in pore-water pressure in the unsaturated zone. During a pro...

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Main Authors: Leong, Eng Choon, Rahardjo, Harianto, Satyanaga, Alfrendo
Other Authors: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Format: Conference or Workshop Item
Language:English
Published: 2011
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Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10356/93993
http://hdl.handle.net/10220/7211
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Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Language: English
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spelling sg-ntu-dr.10356-939932019-12-06T18:48:51Z Unsaturated soil mechanics for slope stabilization Leong, Eng Choon Rahardjo, Harianto Satyanaga, Alfrendo School of Civil and Environmental Engineering Asia Pacific conference in unsaturated soils (5th : 2011) DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering::Geotechnical Rainfall-induced slope failures commonly occur in the unsaturated zone above groundwater table in many steep residual soil slopes. Dynamic variations in groundwater table and flux boundary conditions across ground surface result in changes in pore-water pressure in the unsaturated zone. During a prolonged dry period, excessive evaporation and evapo-transpiration on the ground surface causes soil desiccation and tension cracks to develop on the slope surface, increasing permeability of soils near the ground surface. In addition, the groundwater table can go down to deeper depths during the dry period. As a result, pore-water pressures in the unsaturated zone will become more negative, contributing to the shear strength of soil. During a rainy season, cracked soils with a higher permeability will increase rain infiltration into slopes and the groundwater table may rise, causing an increase in pore-water pressures in the zone above the groundwater table. As a result, the shear strength of the soil will decrease and factor of safety of the slope will be reduced to a low value that may trigger failures. Therefore, it is important to be able to protect unsaturated zone within a slope by controlling the groundwater level and the flux boundary conditions across slope surface as a slope stabilization method. One method of controlling groundwater level is using horizontal drains while the flux boundary conditions can be controlled using slope cover such as capillary barrier or vegetative cover. The mechanisms of these slope stabilization methods are based on principles of unsaturated soil mechanics since it is the unsaturated zone of the slope that needs to be maintained for the stability of the slope. In this paper, the mechanisms of unsaturated zone in a slope using several slope stabilization methods (i.e., horizontal drains, capillary barrier system and vegetative cover) are described using real field examples involving site investigation, installation, numerical analyses and instrumentation. The appropriateness and effectiveness of each slope stabilization method can be assessed using principles of unsaturated soil mechanics. Published Version 2011-10-11T06:12:30Z 2019-12-06T18:48:51Z 2011-10-11T06:12:30Z 2019-12-06T18:48:51Z 2011 2011 Conference Paper Rahardjo, H., Satyanaga, A. & Leong, E. C. (2011). Unsaturated Soil Mechanics for Slope Stabilization. 5th Asia Pacific conference in unsaturated soils. https://hdl.handle.net/10356/93993 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/7211 en © 2011 Kasetsart University. This paper was published in Asia-Pacific Conference on Unsaturated Soils: Theory and Practice and is made available as an electronic reprint (preprint) with permission of Kasetsart University. The paper can be found at the following URL: [http://www.unsat.eng.ku.ac.th/Proceeding/index.html]. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law. 15 p. application/pdf
institution Nanyang Technological University
building NTU Library
country Singapore
collection DR-NTU
language English
topic DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering::Geotechnical
spellingShingle DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering::Geotechnical
Leong, Eng Choon
Rahardjo, Harianto
Satyanaga, Alfrendo
Unsaturated soil mechanics for slope stabilization
description Rainfall-induced slope failures commonly occur in the unsaturated zone above groundwater table in many steep residual soil slopes. Dynamic variations in groundwater table and flux boundary conditions across ground surface result in changes in pore-water pressure in the unsaturated zone. During a prolonged dry period, excessive evaporation and evapo-transpiration on the ground surface causes soil desiccation and tension cracks to develop on the slope surface, increasing permeability of soils near the ground surface. In addition, the groundwater table can go down to deeper depths during the dry period. As a result, pore-water pressures in the unsaturated zone will become more negative, contributing to the shear strength of soil. During a rainy season, cracked soils with a higher permeability will increase rain infiltration into slopes and the groundwater table may rise, causing an increase in pore-water pressures in the zone above the groundwater table. As a result, the shear strength of the soil will decrease and factor of safety of the slope will be reduced to a low value that may trigger failures. Therefore, it is important to be able to protect unsaturated zone within a slope by controlling the groundwater level and the flux boundary conditions across slope surface as a slope stabilization method. One method of controlling groundwater level is using horizontal drains while the flux boundary conditions can be controlled using slope cover such as capillary barrier or vegetative cover. The mechanisms of these slope stabilization methods are based on principles of unsaturated soil mechanics since it is the unsaturated zone of the slope that needs to be maintained for the stability of the slope. In this paper, the mechanisms of unsaturated zone in a slope using several slope stabilization methods (i.e., horizontal drains, capillary barrier system and vegetative cover) are described using real field examples involving site investigation, installation, numerical analyses and instrumentation. The appropriateness and effectiveness of each slope stabilization method can be assessed using principles of unsaturated soil mechanics.
author2 School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
author_facet School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Leong, Eng Choon
Rahardjo, Harianto
Satyanaga, Alfrendo
format Conference or Workshop Item
author Leong, Eng Choon
Rahardjo, Harianto
Satyanaga, Alfrendo
author_sort Leong, Eng Choon
title Unsaturated soil mechanics for slope stabilization
title_short Unsaturated soil mechanics for slope stabilization
title_full Unsaturated soil mechanics for slope stabilization
title_fullStr Unsaturated soil mechanics for slope stabilization
title_full_unstemmed Unsaturated soil mechanics for slope stabilization
title_sort unsaturated soil mechanics for slope stabilization
publishDate 2011
url https://hdl.handle.net/10356/93993
http://hdl.handle.net/10220/7211
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