Postfailure analysis: Tramping Lake causeway, Saskatchewan, Canada

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 687-704
Author(s):  
J. L. Labossiere ◽  
E. K. Sauer ◽  
E. A. Christiansen
Keyword(s):  
Pore Water ◽  
Slip Surface ◽  
Friction Angle ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Lake Basin ◽  
Pore Water Pressures ◽  
Back Calculation ◽  
Vertical Subsidence ◽  
Sand And Gravel ◽  
Effective Friction

A traffic causeway placed on the sediments of saline Tramping Lake failed during construction in the summer of 1982. Vertical subsidence has continued until present (1988). The failure mechanism was controlled by sedimentary structure and artesian groundwater conditions. The shear zone is in a soft, near normally consolidated lacustrine sandy silt unit 22 m thick. The lake basin contains lacustrine, deltaic, and fluvial deposits of postglacial origin. Artesian conditions in the Upper Cretaceous Judith River Formation and postglacial fluvial sand and gravel dominate the hydrogeology at the site. The failure took place along a composite slip surface when excess pore-water pressures developed during loading [Formula: see text]. The estimated effective friction angle from triaxial tests and back calculation was 27° assuming c′ = 0. However, a parametric analysis showed that at very high pore-water pressures the effective friction angle required for equilibrium is very sensitive to small variations in ru. The calculated cohesion at [Formula: see text] required for equilibrium was 3.9 kPa, whereas the remolded vane strength measured in the field was 5.0 kPa. Key words: Foundation failure, artesian, saline environment, groundwater discharge, silty clays, postglacial fluvial and lacustrine deposits.

scholarly journals Subglacial Hydrology for an Ice Sheet Resting on a Deformable Aquifer

1986 ◽  
Vol 32 (110) ◽  
pp. 20-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Shoemaker
Keyword(s):  
Pore Water ◽  
Coulomb Friction ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Friction Angle ◽  
Water Channels ◽  
Water Drainage ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Overburden Pressure ◽  
Melt Water ◽  
Pore Water Pressures

AbstractSubglacial hydrology is investigated for an ice sheet where the substrate consists of a deformable aquifer resting on an aquitard. If sliding velocities are low or absent, subglacial melt-water drainage is dominated by drainage through the aquifer to water channels. Drainage along the bed is negligible. Efficient melt-water drainage requires that a system of subglacial water channels exists; otherwise, pore-water pressures will exceed the overburden pressure. In general, aquifer deformation near (away from) the terminus is most likely to occur during the winter (summer). The effect of short-term high channel pressures is, in general, not critical to aquifer deformation because the pressure pulse does not propagate far into the aquifer. (For aquifers of high permeability, short periods of high channel pressures constitute the most critical condition.) Aquifer deformation at the terminus is very likely to occur if the terminus ice slope exceeds tan ϕ, where ϕ is the Coulomb friction angle of the aquifer material. Upwelling of basal melt water near the terminus will normally cause soil dilation if the aquifer has a low permeability (e.g. till). Maximal profiles are computed corresponding to various aquifer materials using channel spacings which provide efficient drainage. (A maximal profile is the highest ice profile which the aquifer can sustain without deformation.) In general, maximal profiles lie well above observed profiles (such as h(x) = 3x1/2 (m)) except near the terminus. However, if channel spacings are sufficiently large, pore-water pressures are increased and maximal profiles can lie well below h(x) = 3x1/2.

Approaches to the study of hillslope development due to mass movement

1993 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Brooks ◽  
K.S. Richards ◽  
M.G. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Internal Friction ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Soil Cover ◽  
Slip Surface ◽  
Mass Movement ◽  
Slope Angle ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Stability Of Slopes ◽  
Pore Water Pressures

Slope-angle histograms have traditionally provided a data base for the evaluation of changing angles over geological time. Ideas relating to hillslope development due to mass movement have considered a lowering in regolith shear resistance due to weathering, producing slope-angle decline. Decreasing values for angles of internal friction, along with increasing pore water pressures, have been suggested to explain slope-angle decline through time. These ideas have considered simple changes in undifferentiated regolith. This article considers the role of progressive pedogenesis in determining the changing stability of slopes. For this it is necessary to evaluate the changes which occur within individual horizons to produce an increasingly differentiated soil cover. Angles of internal friction alter at different rates and in different ways depending on whether the horizon is losing or gaining weathered material through translocation. Furthermore, the increasing internal differentiation of the soil cover has complex effects on its hydrological response. Instead of the two scenarios previously envisaged, one involving the water table below the slip surface and the other involving the water table at the ground surface, slope stability needs to be evaluated in the light of continually changing negative or positive pore water pressures. Each storm produces a different response, and this response alters with soil development, complicating the assessment of failure timing and depth. The study of evolving soil profiles is of fundamental significance to a range of geomorphological processes, requiring closer evaluation in the future.

Influence of cycling pore-water pressures and principal stress ratios on drained deformations in clay

1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 326-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Eigenbrod ◽  
J. Graham ◽  
J.-P. Burak
Keyword(s):  
Cyclic Loading ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Strain Rates ◽  
Natural Clay ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Deviator Stress ◽  
Pore Water Pressures ◽  
Stress Ratios

Seasonal changes in groundwater levels affect the rate of downhill creep movements in slopes. This process has been studied in triaxial tests on undisturbed specimens of a natural clay from Bluefish Lake, 50 km north of Yellowknife, N.W.T. Specimens were first anisotropically consolidated to low stresses that correspond to conditions at shallow depths in creeping slopes. Pore-water pressures (back pressures) in the specimens were then cycled systematically (over periods lasting 4–48 h) with the drainage leads open. Resulting axial and volumetric strains were measured, and shear and lateral strains deduced from them. Strain rates decreased with increasing total times of testing. They increased with increasing values of the ratio Δu/Δuf, with increasing values of deviator stress q, and with decreasing values of [Formula: see text]. Systematically increasing the pore-water pressures in the specimens produced clear estimates of failure at low stresses. Key words : slope, clay, creep, cyclic loading, ground water, triaxial.

scholarly journals Hydraulic Conductivity and Pore Water Pressures in a Clayey Landslide: Experimental Data

Geosciences ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caterina Di Maio ◽  
Jacopo De Rosa ◽  
Roberto Vassallo ◽  
Roberto Coviello ◽  
Giuseppe Macchia
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Slip Surface ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Hydrological Conditions ◽  
Pore Water Pressures ◽  
Landslide Body ◽  
Clay Formation ◽  
Stable Formation

To analyze the response to hydrological conditions of an instable slope in a structurally complex clay formation, the hydraulic conductivity of the subsoil was estimated and pore water pressures were monitored. Two types of field tests were carried out: falling head tests in the Casagrande piezometers and localized seepage measurements in test boreholes. The experimental data show that in a narrow band around the slip surface, the hydraulic conductivity is higher—more than two orders of magnitude—than that of the landslide body and of the stable formation. Furthermore, the data of a long-term monitoring by Casagrande piezometers and vibrating wire cells show that the response of pore water pressures to the site hydrological conditions along the shear band is far faster than in the landslide body and in the stable formation. The slip band seems largely connected to the atmosphere, and the water pressures in the band are correlated with the deep displacement rates of all the inclinometers crossing the active slip surface.

scholarly journals Subglacial Hydrology for an Ice Sheet Resting on a Deformable Aquifer

1986 ◽  
Vol 32 (110) ◽  
pp. 20-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Shoemaker
Keyword(s):  
Pore Water ◽  
Coulomb Friction ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Friction Angle ◽  
Water Channels ◽  
Water Drainage ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Overburden Pressure ◽  
Melt Water ◽  
Pore Water Pressures

AbstractSubglacial hydrology is investigated for an ice sheet where the substrate consists of a deformable aquifer resting on an aquitard. If sliding velocities are low or absent, subglacial melt-water drainage is dominated by drainage through the aquifer to water channels. Drainage along the bed is negligible. Efficient melt-water drainage requires that a system of subglacial water channels exists; otherwise, pore-water pressures will exceed the overburden pressure. In general, aquifer deformation near (away from) the terminus is most likely to occur during the winter (summer). The effect of short-term high channel pressures is, in general, not critical to aquifer deformation because the pressure pulse does not propagate far into the aquifer. (For aquifers of high permeability, short periods of high channel pressures constitute the most critical condition.) Aquifer deformation at the terminus is very likely to occur if the terminus ice slope exceeds tanϕ, whereϕis the Coulomb friction angle of the aquifer material. Upwelling of basal melt water near the terminus will normally cause soil dilation if the aquifer has a low permeability (e.g. till). Maximal profiles are computed corresponding to various aquifer materials using channel spacings which provide efficient drainage. (A maximal profile is the highest ice profile which the aquifer can sustain without deformation.) In general, maximal profiles lie well above observed profiles (such ash(x) = 3x1/2(m)) except near the terminus. However, if channel spacings are sufficiently large, pore-water pressures are increased and maximal profiles can lie well belowh(x) = 3x1/2.

Stability of swelling clay embankments

1979 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Widger ◽  
D. G. Fredlund
Keyword(s):  
Shear Strength ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Back Analysis ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Shear Strength Parameters ◽  
Strength Parameters ◽  
Total Strength ◽  
Swelling Soils ◽  
Pore Water Pressures ◽  
Matrix Suction

A common occurrence in cuts or fills of swelling soils is their reduction in strength with time. At the time of compaction, the clay generally has a high matrix suction. Correspondingly, it has a high strength and will stand at relatively steep side slopes. With time, the soil generally tends towards saturation and the matrix suction reduces towards zero. There is a reduction in total strength and if the gravitational forces are too large, the slope fails.During the past several years, numerous cut and fill slopes have been observed in the Regina area of Saskatchewan. Many of these slopes have remained stable for 4–6 years and then failed. There has been a 20 year history of observations on the Belle Plaine overpass west of Regina. Field and laboratory investigations have been conducted.With a knowledge of the geometry of the slope and failure plane, the simplified Bishop method of stability analysis was used to perform a 'back-analysis' to assess the shear strength parameters. The shear strength parameters from the laboratory program are compared with those calculated from the stability analyses. The analyses indicate that the peak shear strength parameters from triaxial tests on the softened Regina clay (i.e., c' = 5 kPa and [Formula: see text]), with the appropriate pore water pressures, give a factor of safety of 1 for the failed surface. The effect of spring thawing appears to be to produce the condition of most serious pore water pressures.

Effective friction angle of clays and silts from piezocone penetration tests

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (9) ◽  
pp. 1230-1247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongkun Ouyang ◽  
Paul W. Mayne
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Effective Stress ◽  
Friction Angle ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Undisturbed Samples ◽  
Undrained Conditions ◽  
Plastic Clays ◽  
Penetration Tests ◽  
Effective Friction

An existing effective stress limit plasticity solution for piezocone penetration tests (CPTu) is calibrated to evaluate the effective stress friction angle ([Formula: see text]) for undrained conditions for a variety of fine-grained soils ranging from natural lean to plastic clays and clayey silts from marine, alluvial, lacustrine, deltaic, and glaciofluvial origins. Data from 105 clay sites are compiled to examine the CPTu-interpreted [Formula: see text] values in comparison with laboratory benchmark values obtained from undrained consolidated anisotropic (CAUC) and undrained compression (CIUC) triaxial tests made on undisturbed samples. An approximate inversion of the theoretical solution is developed to allow profiles of [Formula: see text] to be evaluated with depth. Five well-documented case studies in Illinois, Louisiana, South Carolina, Ireland, and Massachusetts are presented to illustrate the application of the solution. Lastly, results from 1g chamber tests involving kaolin and kaolinitic–silica mixtures tested by miniature piezocone probes are shown for additional verification.

Effect of soil suction on slope stability at Notch Hill

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Krahn ◽  
D. G. Fredlund ◽  
M. J. Klassen
Keyword(s):  
Slope Stability ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Friction Angle ◽  
Soil Suction ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Surface Slope ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Frictional Strength ◽  
Pore Water Pressures ◽  
Flat Ground

The side slopes of a railway embankment in central British Columbia, constructed with local lacustrine silt, on relatively flat ground, began to fail several years after construction. Shallow instability ultimately developed on both sides of the embankment over a distance of several kilometres. Initially, the soil had a significant apparent cohesive strength. With time, the strength appeared to diminish owing to the dissipation of negative pore-water pressures. The remaining frictional strength was not sufficient to maintain stability, since the slopes were constructed at angles close to the peak effective friction angle of the soil. This case history, together with the laboratory saturated and unsaturated strength test results and field suction measurements, demonstrates the dramatic effect of negative pore-water pressures on near-surface slope stability. Key words: soil suction, slope stability, nonsaturated soils, shear resistance, tensiometers.

scholarly journals Long-term dynamic bearing capacity of shallow foundations on a contractive cohesive soil

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Panique Lazcano ◽  
Rubén Galindo Aires ◽  
Hernán Patiño Nieto
Keyword(s):  
Bearing Capacity ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Cyclic Load ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Friction Angle ◽  
Cohesive Soil ◽  
Cyclic Softening ◽  
Pore Water Pressures

AbstractThe calculation of the long-term dynamic bearing capacity arises from the need to consider the generation of maximum pore-water pressure developed from a cyclic load. Under suitable conditions, a long-term equilibrium situation would be reached, when pore-water pressures stabilized. However, excess pore-water pressure generation can lead to cyclic softening. Consequently, it is necessary to define both the cohesion and the internal friction angle to calculate the dynamic bearing capacity of a foundation in the long term, being necessary to incorporate the influence of the self-weight of soil and therefore the width of the foundation. The present work is based on an analysis of the results of cyclic simple shear tests on soil samples from the port of El Prat in Barcelona. From these experimental data, a pore-water pressure generation formulation was obtained that was implemented in FLAC2D finite difference software. A methodology was developed for the calculation of the maximum cyclic load that a footing can resist before the occurrence of the cyclic softening. The type of soil studied is a contractive cohesive soil, which generates positive pore-water pressures. As a numerical result, design charts have been developed for long-term dynamic bearing capacity calculation and the charts were validated with the application of a real case study.

A new approach to the stability analysis of thawing slopes

1980 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis E. Vallejo
Keyword(s):  
Stability Analysis ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Necessary Conditions ◽  
Mass Movements ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Pore Water Pressures ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Excess Pore

A new approach to the stability analysis of thawing slopes at shallow depths, taking into consideration their structure (this being a mixture of hard crumbs of soil and a fluid matrix), is presented. The new approach explains shallow mass movements such as skin flows and tongues of bimodal flows, which usually take place on very low slope inclinations independently of excess pore water pressures or increased water content in the active layer, which are necessary conditions in the methods available to date to explain these movements.

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