Abstract
Soil bioengineering in which pioneer plants are incorporated with simple structures such as flapped soil bags and erosion-control mats was implemented at Ban Na Tum, Surat Thani Province, Southern Thailand, a slope that suffered a major rainfall-induced landslide in 2011; these improvement methods were meant to rectify the landslide damages and restore the ecosystem of the area. This study investigates the performance of the bioengineering techniques employed at Ban Na Tum by means of 3D stability-seepage modelling. The analysis considers the influence of different land uses based on digital terrain model using unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry. A detailed site investigation was conducted which included soil boring, standard penetration tests, light-weight penetration tests, field density tests, resistivity surveying, and ground aeration sound tests to develop 3D soil stratigraphy and hydro-geological models. The height and perimeter of trees were selectively measured at the site to make corrections of the surface model. The analysis results revealed that the critical locations on slopes (i.e., the lowest factor of safety) were not necessarily stationary but could change with on-going water infiltration and seepage. In summary, the bioengineered slope covered with early-stage pioneer plants and rubber trees had a lower stability factor of safety than the natural forest, meaning that the surface slope covered with the early-stage pioneer plants is more likely to fail during heavy rainfall. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating land use in 3D stability modelling, as land coverage can have notable influences on slope stability.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adewoyin OO, Joshua EO, Akinyemi ML, Omeje M, Joel ES (2017) Application of 2D electrical resistivity imaging and cone penetration test (CPT) to assess the harzadous effect of near surface water on foundations in lagos nigeria. J Phys Conf Ser 852:012033. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/852/1/012033
Bentley (2019) Contextcapture User Guide. 04.04.13.514 edn. Bentley Systems Incorporated, USA
Brinkgreve RBJ, Kumarswamy S, Swolfs WM, Waterman D, Chesaru A, Bonnier PG, Haxaire A (2018) PLAXIS 3D reference manual. PLAXIS, Netherlands
Chaiyasarn K, Buatik A, Likitlersuang S (2021) Concrete crack detection and 3D mapping by integrated convolutional neural networks architecture. Adv Struct Eng 24(7):1480–1494. https://doi.org/10.1177/1369433220975574
Crawford M, Bryson L, Woolery E, Wang Z (2018) Using 2-D electrical resistivity imaging for joint geophysical and geotechnical characterization of shallow landslides. J Appl Geophys 157:37–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2018.06.009
Eab KH, Likitlersuang S, Takahashi A (2015) Laboratory and modelling investigation of root-reinforced system for slope stabilisation. Soils Found 55(5):1270–1281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2015.09.025
Eab KH, Takahashi A, Likitlersuang S (2014) Centrifuge modelling of root-reinforced soil slope subjected to rainfall infiltration. Géotech Lett 4(3):211–216. https://doi.org/10.1680/geolett.14.00029
EGAT (1980) Soil exploration by kunzelstab penetration test. Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), Thailand (in Thai)
Hatanaka M, Uchida A (1996) Empirical correlation between cone resistance and internal friction angle of sandy soils. Soils Found 36:1–10
Hoek E, Brown ET (1980) Underground excavations in rock. Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London
Hoek E, Carranza-Torres C, Corkum B (2002) Hoek-Brown failure criterion - 2002 edition. Proc NARMS Tac 1(1):267–273
Jirawattanasomkul T, Kongwang N, Jongvivatsakul P, Likitlersuang S (2018) Finite element modelling of flexural behaviour of geosynthetic cementitious composite mat (GCCM). Compos B Eng 154:33–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.07.052
Jirawattanasomkul T, Kongwang N, Jongvivatsakul P, Likitlersuang S (2019) Finite element analysis of tensile and puncture behaviours of geosynthetic cementitious composite mat (GCCM). Compos B Eng 165:702–711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.02.037
Jongvivatsakul P, Ramdit T, Ngo TP, Likitlersuang S (2018) Experimental investigation on mechanical properties of geosynthetic cementitious composite mat (GCCM). Constr Build Mater 166:956–965. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.01.185
Jotisankasa A, Mahannopkul K, Teerachaikulpanich N, Miyashita T, Tada Y (2016) Investigation of high-seepage zones in slopes using the groundwater aeration sound (gas) survey technique in thailand. Jpn Geotech Soc Spec Publ 2:2539–2543. https://doi.org/10.3208/jgssp.THA-03
Jotisankasa A, Sirirattanachat T (2017) Effects of grass roots on soil-water retention curve and permeability function. Can Geotech J 54(11):1612–1622. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2016-0281
Kamchoom V, Boldrin D, Leung AK, Sookkrajang C, Likitlersuang S (2021) Biomechanical properties of growing and decaying roots of Cynodon dactylon. Plant Soil. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-05207-1
Komolvilas V, Tanapalungkorn W, Latcharote P, Likitlersuang S (2021) Failure analysis on a heavy rainfall-induced landslide in Huay Khab Mountain in Northern Thailand. J Mt Sci 18(10):2580–2596. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-021-6720-8
Leknoi U, Likitlersuang S (2020) Good practice and lesson learned in promoting vetiver as solution for slope stabilisation and erosion control in Thailand. Land Use Policy 99:105008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.105008
Li Y, Xu W, Wang S, Wang H, Dai Y (2019) Slope stability analysis with reference to rainfall infiltration in the Yongping copper mine China. Curr Sci 116:536–543. https://doi.org/10.18520/cs/v116/i4/536-543
Likitlersuang S, Kounyou K, Prasetyaningtiyas GA (2020) Performance of geosynthetic cementitious composite mat and vetiver on soil erosion control. J Mt Sci 17:1410–1422. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-019-5926-5
Likitlersuang S, Takahashi A, Eab KH (2017) Modeling of root-reinforced soil slope under rainfall condition. Eng J 21(3):123–132. https://doi.org/10.4186/ej.2017.21.3.123
Liu Y, Zhong R (2014) Buildings and terrain of urban area point cloud segmentation based on pcl. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci 17:012238. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/17/1/012238
Mahannopkul K, Jotisankasa A (2019) Influences of root concentration and suction on Chrysopogon zizanioides reinforcement of soil. Soils Found 59(2):500–516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2018.12.014
Mairaing W (2015) Study of geotechnical engineering model for predicting landslide occurrence in slope areas: Research and development for prevention and solution of landslide problems on steep slopes in accordance with the royal initiative. Power for Sustainable Future Foundation, Thailand
Ngo TP, Likitlersuang S, Takahashi A (2019) Performance of a geosynthetic cementitious composite mat for stabilising sandy slopes. Geosynth Int 26(3):309–319. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgein.19.00020
Nguyen TS, Likitlersuang S, Jotisankasa A (2020) Stability analysis of vegetated residual soil slope under rainfall conditions. Environ Geotech 7(5):338–349. https://doi.org/10.1680/jenge.17.00025
Nguyen TS, Likitlersuang S, Jotisankasa A (2019) Influence of the spatial variability of the root cohesion on a slope-scale stability model: a case study of residual soil slope in Thailand. Bull Eng Geol Environ 78(5):3337–3351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-1380-9
Phan TN, Likitlersuang S, Kamchoom V, Leung AK (2021) Root biomechanical properties of Chrysopogon zizanioides and Chrysopogon nemoralis for soil reinforcement and slope stabilisation. Land Degrad Dev 32(16):4624–4636. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4063
Phantachang T (2018) Evaluation of soil profile and allowable bearing capacity of soil using Kunzelstab penetration test kpt. RMUTP Res J 12:60–72. https://doi.org/10.14456/jrmutp.2018.22
Rachman A, Anderson SH, Gantzer CJ, Alberts EE (2004) Soil hydraulic properties influenced by stiff stemmed grass hedge systems. Soil Sci Soc Am J 68(4):1386–1393
Rajamanthri K, Jotisankasa A, Aramrak S (2021) Effects of Chrysopogon zizanioides root biomass and plant age on hydro-mechanical behavior of root-permeated soils. Int J Geosynth Ground Eng 7:36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40891-021-00271-0
Saito H, Uchiyama S, Hayakawa Y, Obanawa H (2018) Landslides triggered by an earthquake and heavy rainfalls at Aso volcano Japan detected by UAS and SfM-MVS photogrammetry. Prog Earth Planet Sci 5:15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-018-0169-6
Samouëlian A, Cousin I, Tabbagh A, Bruand A, Richard G (2005) Electrical resistivity survey in soil science: a review. Soil Tillage Res 83:173–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2004.10.004
Schnaid F, Spinelli LDF, Iturrioz I, Rocha MM (2004) Fracture mechanics in ground improvement design. Proc Inst Civ Eng Ground Improv 8:7–15. https://doi.org/10.1680/grim.2004.8.1.7
Styczen ME, Morgan RPC (1995) Engineering properties of vegetation. In: Morgan RPC, Rickson RJ (eds) Slope stabilization and erosion control A bioengineering approach. Chapman and Hall, UK, pp 5–58
Tsunetaka H, Hotta N, Hayakawa YS, Imaizumi F (2020) Spatial accuracy assessment of unmanned aerial vehicle-based structures from motion multi-view stereo photogrammetry for geomorphic observations in initiation zones of debris flows Ohya landslide Japan. Prog Earth Planet Sci 7:24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-020-00336-0
Van Genuchten M (1980) A closed-form equation for predicting the hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 44:892–898. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1980.03615995004400050002x
Wang M, Liu K, Yang G, Xie J (2017) Three-dimensional slope stability analysis using laser scanning and numerical simulation. Geomatics Nat Hazards Risk 8:997–1011. https://doi.org/10.1080/19475705.2017.1290696
Wasino R, Likitlersuang S, Janjaroen D (2019) The performance of vetivers (Chrysopogon zizaniodes and Chrysopogon nemoralis) on heavy metals phytoremediation: laboratory investigation. Int J Phytoremediation 21(7):624–633. https://doi.org/10.1080/15226514.2018.1546275
Westoby MJ, Brasington J, Glasser NF, Hambrey MJ, Reynolds JM (2012) ‘Structure-from-motion’ photogrammetry: a low-cost effective tool for geoscience applications. Geomorphology 179:300–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.08.021
Acknowledgements
The work was carried out under the research and development project on landslide prevention and protection according to the Royal Initiatives of the Chaipattana Foundation. Special thanks to all staff from the Centre of Excellence in Geotechnical and Geoenviromental Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, for their assistance during field investigations. The first author (PO) acknowledges the scholarship support from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
Funding
This research was funded by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) (NRCT5-RSA63001-05), the Ratchadapisek Sompoch Endowment Fund (2021), Chulalongkorn University, Thailand (764002-ENV) and the Thailand Science research and Innovation Fund Chulalongkorn University, Thailand (CU_FRB65_dis(28)_153_21_19).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ongpaporn, P., Jotisankasa, A. & Likitlersuang, S. Geotechnical investigation and stability analysis of bio-engineered slope at Surat Thani Province in Southern Thailand. Bull Eng Geol Environ 81, 84 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-022-02591-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-022-02591-5