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Method of mitigating the surface erosion of a high-gradient mudstone slope in southwest Taiwan

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Abstract

Soft mudstone dominates the rock mass at southwest Taiwan. Mudstone slakes significantly when it meets water due to a short diagenetic period and poor cementation. Gulleys are visible on the surface of mudstone slopes after rainfall. The low slaking durability resistance of the mudstone causes not only geographical badland but also erosion problems on the highway slopes in the mudstone area. An effective countermeasure for protecting the mudstone slope must contribute to a reduction in surface erosion; facilitate drainage from the slope surface during rainfall; and incorporate a high-strength structure to fight against swelling stress, preserve vegetation, and contribute to slope stabilization. In this study, a new slope erosion countermeasure, the soil-tyre-vegetation method (STV), was applied to an excavated mudstone slope in southwest Taiwan. STV utilizes waste tyres, H-beams, and geotextile. Waste tyres are good for preserving the soil for vegetation on mudstone slopes, mitigating slope erosion. The H-beams support the weight of the vegetation and the soil-filled tyres. The geotextile prevents the loss of fine-grain soil and guarantees drainage from the slope during heavy rainfall. The experimental results for a mudstone slope with a slope angle of 45° showed that STV protected the mudstone slope and improved the condition of the vegetation on it.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to deeply thank the kind help provided by colleagues at the Rock Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, and National Cheng Kung University during the study. In addition, special thanks are extended to the Tainan Branch, Soil and Water Conservation Bureau, Council of Agriculture, Taiwan for their kind assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Rd., East Dist., Tainan City, 701, Taiwan

    Der-Her Lee, Po-Ying Chen & Jian-Houng Wu

  2. Tainan Branch, Soil and Water Conservation Bureau, No.316, Sec. 1, Linsen Rd., East Dist., Tainan City, 70151, Taiwan

    Hui-Ling Chen

  3. Construction Engineering Department, Nan Jeon Institute of Technology University, No.178, Chaoqin Rd., Yanshui Dist., Tainan City, 73746, Taiwan

    Yi-En Yang

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  1. Der-Her Lee
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  2. Po-Ying Chen
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  3. Jian-Houng Wu
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  4. Hui-Ling Chen
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  5. Yi-En Yang
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Correspondence to Po-Ying Chen.

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Lee, DH., Chen, PY., Wu, JH. et al. Method of mitigating the surface erosion of a high-gradient mudstone slope in southwest Taiwan. Bull Eng Geol Environ 72, 533–545 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-013-0518-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-013-0518-z

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