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Estimation of soil properties of shallow landslide source areas by dynamic penetration tests: first outcomes from Northern Tuscany (Italy)

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Abstract

In Northern Tuscany (Italy) rapid, shallow landslides often cause casualties and severe damage. Aimed at contributing to the characterisation of the source areas of rapid, shallow landslides, this paper deals with the geotechnical parameterisation of the mainly involved soil by means of dynamic penetration tests. The source areas are usually located in difficult access sites, where boring and undisturbed sampling are very hard and onerous. Therefore, the results of 177 dynamic penetration tests were analysed, including dynamic probing (DP) tests and standard penetration tests (SPT). The results of these tests were related to relative density D r and friction angle Φ′ of the soil by means of empirical equations. The distribution and variability of these parameters were analysed and related to soil type, test type and probing depth. The D r and Φ′ values coming from the DP and SPT tests were found to be comparable. The Φ′ values coming from DP tests and direct shear tests showed an acceptable correlation, confirming the utility of the DP tests. The DP test can thus be an effective tool in the estimation of the properties of potentially unstable soil slope covers.

Résumé

Dans la Toscane septentrionale (Italie) des glissements de terrain superficiels rapides provoquent assez souvent de considérables dégâts et de victimes. Ces glissements s’amorcent fréquemment dans les zones où le difficile accès ne permet pas de recueillir des échantillons intacts pour être testés en laboratoire. Ainsi pour la caractérisation géotechnique des terrains ont été utilisés les résultats de 177 tests de pénétration dynamique, ci-inclus les Dynamic Probing Tests (DP) et les Standard Penetration Tests (SPT). Du résultat de ces tests, par des corrélations empiriques ont été estimées les valeurs moyennes de la densité relative et l’angle de frottement du terrain étudié. Distribution et variabilité des résultats obtenus ont été analysées et corrélées avec le type de sol et le type et la profondeur de la preuve. L’étude a révélé que les valeurs moyennes de la densité relative et l’angle de frottement, obtenues par des tests DP, sont comparables à ceux obtenus à partir de SPT à la même profondeur. De plus, les angles de frottement, obtenues par de tests DP, montrent une bonne corrélation linéaire avec ceux déterminés par des essais de cisaillement directs réalisés en laboratoire sur des échantillons intacts. En conclusion, les comparaisons montrent que le pénétromètre dynamique continu peut être considéré comme un instrument utile pour l’estimation de certains paramètres géotechniques des sols en pentes potentiellement instables.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Susanna Duchi (Professional Geologist) for her contribution in data collecting, and to the anonymous referees, who have helped in improving the manuscript.

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  1. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, University of Pisa, Via S. Maria 53, 56126, Pisa, Italy

    G. D’Amato Avanzi, Y. Galanti, R. Giannecchini & A. Puccinelli

  2. Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Energia, dei Sistemi, del Territorio e delle Costruzioni, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    D. Lo Presti

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  1. G. D’Amato Avanzi
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Correspondence to Y. Galanti.

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D’Amato Avanzi, G., Galanti, Y., Giannecchini, R. et al. Estimation of soil properties of shallow landslide source areas by dynamic penetration tests: first outcomes from Northern Tuscany (Italy). Bull Eng Geol Environ 72, 609–624 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-013-0535-y

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