Influence of rainfall on the deformation and stability of a slope in overconsolidated clays: a case study

The behaviour of an instrumented unstable slope in a profile of weathered overconsolidated clay has been analysed. Available field investigation data and laboratory tests were integrated in a coupled hydromechanical model of the slope. Particular attention was given to the unsaturated soil condition...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Alonso Pérez de Agreda, Eduardo|||0000-0003-2472-3951, Gens Solé, Antonio|||0000-0001-7588-7054, Delahaye, Carlos Héctor
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2003
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/2215
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/2215
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Clay soils -- Stability
Slope stability (Soil mechanics)
Overconsolidated clays
Expansion
Flow
Unsaturated soil
Suction
Safety factor
Sòls argilosos
Talussos (Mecànica dels sòls)
Descripción
Sumario:The behaviour of an instrumented unstable slope in a profile of weathered overconsolidated clay has been analysed. Available field investigation data and laboratory tests were integrated in a coupled hydromechanical model of the slope. Particular attention was given to the unsaturated soil conditions above the water table and to the influence of the rainfall record. Recorded pore-water pressures helped to identify the hydrogeological conditions of the slope. The coupled model was used to compute slope deformations and the variation of safety with time. Actual rainfall records were also integrated into the analysis. Comparison of measurements and calculations illustrate the nature of the slope instability and the complex relationships between mechanical and hydraulic factors.