Abstract
Loess and loess-derived soils cover much of Canterbury, New Zealand. When dry, these deposits exhibit an undrained shear strength up to 200 kPa and are stable in vertical cut slopes. Small increases in moisture content (2–3%), particularly near the plastic limit, lead to weakening of the soil matrix and a large reduction in shear strength. This sensitivity to moisture contributes to the susceptibility of loess slopes to failure during rainfall events. Consequently the detail of the relationship between shear strength and moisture content is important to understand. Canterbury loess soils are typically situated above the water table and therefore behave as a partially saturated soil. As such, the shear strength is influenced by negative pore pressure and interparticle bonding. Historically, the relative contribution of these mechanisms to the overall soil strength of loess soils in Canterbury is not well understood. This paper outlines the methodology for investigating the soil-water characteristics of Canterbury loess soils. Preliminary observations of the soil-water characteristics are presented.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bell, D.H., Glassey, P.J., Yetton, M.D.: Chemical stabilisation of dispersive loessical soils, Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, New Zealand. In: 5th International IAEG Congress, Buenos Aires, pp. 2193–2208 (1986)
Bell, D.H., Trangmar, B.: Regolith materials and erosion processes on the Port Hills, Christchurch, New Zealand. In: 5th International Conference & Field Workshop on Landslides. Christchurch, pp. 93–105 (1987)
Fredlund, D.G.: Unsaturated soil mechanics in engineering practice. J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 132, 286–321 (2012)
Fredlund, D.G., Xing, A.: Equations for the soil-water characteristic curve. Can. Geotech. J. 31(6), 1026 (1994)
Goldwater, S.: Slope Failure in Loess, a Detailed Investigation, Allendale, Banks Peninsula. MSc Thesis, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury (1990)
Hughes, T.J.: A Detailed Study of Banks Peninsula Shear Strength. MSc Thesis, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury (2002)
Hutchinson, G.: Akaroa Harbour suffers extensive earth movements. Soil Water 12, 6–7 (1975)
Ives, D.: Nature and distribution of loess in Canterbury, New Zealand. N. Z. J. Geol. Geophys. 16(3), 587–610 (1973)
Jowett, T.W.D.: An Investigation of the Geotechnical Properties of Loess from Canterbury and Marlborough. MSc Thesis, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury. Available at: http://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/7580 (1995)
Marshall, S.: Laboratory Modelling of Tunnel Gully Erosion Development. Unpublished Professional Masters in Engineering Geology Report, University of Canterbury (2016)
McDowell, B.J.: Site Investigations for Residential Development on the Port Hills, Christchurch. MSc Thesis, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury (1989)
Muñoz-Castelblanco, J.A., et al.: The water retention properties of a natural unsaturated loess from Northern France. Géotechnique 62(2), 95–106 (2012)
Raeside, J.D.: Loess deposits of the South Island, New Zealand, and Soils Formed on them. N. Z. J. Geol. Geophys. 7, 811–838 (1964)
Tonkin, P.J., Runge, E., Ives, D.: A study of late pleistocene loess deposits, South Canterbury, New Zealand. Quat. Res. 4, 217–231 (1974)
Tu, X.B., et al.: Field monitoring of rainfall infiltration in a loess slope and analysis of failure mechanism of rainfall-induced landslides. Eng. Geol. 105(1–2), 134–150. (2009). Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2008.11.011
Yates, K., Fenton, C.H., Bell, D.H.: A review of the geotechnical characteristics of loess and loess-derived soils from Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand. Eng. Geol. (October 2016), pp. 0–1 (2017). Available at: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0013795216304422
Zhou, Y.: Study on Landslides in Loess Slope Due to Infiltration. University of Hong Kong (2012)
Zhou, Y.F., et al.: Laboratory study on soil behavior in loess slope subjected to infiltration. Eng. Geol. 183, 31–38 (2014)
Acknowledgements
Current research of Canterbury loess (Yates) is supported by Environment Canterbury and a University of Canterbury Ph.D. scholarship.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Yates, K., Fenton, C. (2019). Preliminary Investigation of the Soil-Water Characteristics of Loess Soils in Canterbury, New Zealand. In: Shakoor, A., Cato, K. (eds) IAEG/AEG Annual Meeting Proceedings, San Francisco, California, 2018—Volume 6. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93142-5_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93142-5_9
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-93141-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-93142-5
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)