Stability Analysis of an Expansive Clay Slope: A Case Study of Infiltration-Induced Shallow Failure of an Embankment in Regina, Canada
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15273/ijge.2015.01.003Keywords:
expansive soils, shallow slope failure, snow melting infiltration, cracks, coupled hydro-mechanical model, bimodal permeability function, factor of safety, Regina clayAbstract
An expansive clay slope in Regina, Canada that failed in the spring of 1973 is reanalyzed using a comprehensive numerical procedure that involves the coupled hydro-mechanical finite element analysis. This procedure reliably simulates the behavior of the slope for computing its factor of safety (FS) under snow melting infiltration condition. The results of the study show that a bimodal permeability function with an increased saturated coefficient of permeability by 2-3 of magnitudes in comparison to the laboratory measured value can be used to reasonably describe the hydraulic properties of unsaturated cracked expansive soils and the effect of cracks on slope stability. An increase in saturated coefficient of permeability (up to the rate of snow melting) and use of residual shear strength parameters contribute to early failure of this slope under snow melting condition. The study highlights the use of field saturated coefficient of permeability and bimodal permeability function such that expansive soil slope stability can be reliably estimated.
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