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Stability of road-cut slopes in high rainfall areas

Stabilite de talus routiers dans les regions a forte pluviosite

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Bulletin of the International Association of Engineering Geology - Bulletin de l'Association Internationale de Géologie de l'Ingénieur Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Numerous locations of road-cut slope failures exist in the Southern high rainfall areas of Nigeria. The failures have occurred despite strict adherence to analytical design procedures.

Observation of the failure on road cuts show that gravitational forces play a less active role as compared to erosive action and the presence of water that reduces the strength of the soil.

The general slope failure characteristics are given for the high rainfall areas of Nigeria. An equation is derived for the estimation of the critical thickness of film of water on the slope before erosion commences. This is based on the soil strength parameters. Comparison with real values would be a basis for soil improvement of the slope.

Résumé

Dans le sud du Nigéria où il y a une forte pluviosité, il y a de nombreux glissements de talus de route et ceci malgré une stricte observation des procédés classiques de l'ingéniérie.

L'observation des glissements montre que les forces de gravité jouent un rôle moins actif que l'érosion et l'imprégnation d'eau qui réduit la résistance du sol.

Les caractéristiques générales des glissements des talus de route dans le Nigéria méridional à forte pluviosité sont donnée. Une équation est développée pour l'estimation de l'épaisseur critique de la pellicule d'eau sur le talus avant de début de l'érosion. Celle-ci est basée sur les paramètres de la résistance des sols. La comparaison avec des valeurs réelles pourrait devenir une base pour l'amélioration de sols sur les talus.

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Abbreviations

β:

angle of slope

γw :

unit weight of water

γ:

unit weight of soil

C:

cohesion of soil

D:

diameter of soil particle

hw :

thickness of water on slope

h:

thickness of soil above reference plane

σ:

normal stress

S:

shear strength of soil

U:

velocity of water

μ:

dynamic viscosity (coefficient)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Applied Geology, University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

    Malomo S.

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  1. Malomo S.
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Malomo, S. Stability of road-cut slopes in high rainfall areas. Bulletin of the International Association of Engineering Geology 21, 33–35 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02591538

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