Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Performance of Lateritic Soil Slopes at the Onset of Rainfall Infiltration

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Indian Geotechnical Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Rainfall-induced slope instability is one of the major concerns in tropical regions. Many rainfall-induced slope failures were observed in lateritic soil slopes in Kerala, during monsoon seasons. In the present study, an attempt was made to investigate the factors affecting the stability of soil slopes at the onset of rainwater infiltration; and to assess the relative importance of various factors on the slope stability by using the properties of soil collected from areas where rainfall-induced slope failures were observed. A total of about 200 numerical models were investigated by considering 10 different rainfall intensities, 9 different rainfall durations for each rainfall intensity, 5 different configurations of initial water table, 5 different slope angles and 3 different types of soils. It was observed that the slope failures in unsaturated lateritic soil during rainfall are due to the loss of suction due to the advancement of wetting front rather than the rise in ground water table. For any particular slope angle in the unsaturated lateritic slopes, there exists a critical duration of the rainfall to cause slope failure; irrespective of the rainfall intensities varying from 0.1 to 132 mm/h. And, it decreases as the slope inclination increases. Also, there exists a limiting ratio, (q/ksat)lim which initiates a reduction in factor of safety and a threshold value (q/ksat)thr which causes a maximum reduction in the initial factor of safety of the soil slopes at the onset of rainfall infiltration. This was found to be applicable to all the three different soil types (classified as CL, MH and SP) used in the present study. Findings from the present study will be useful in understanding the failure mechanism in unsaturated residual soils and predict the initiation of slope failures for any region with respect to a rainfall scenario, slope geometry and soil permeability.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

SEM:

Scanning electron micrographs

PWP:

Pore water pressure

WT:

Water table

WoR:

Without rainfall

OMC:

Optimum moisture content

q :

Rainfall intensity (mm/h)

t :

Duration

H :

Height of slope (m)

α :

Angle of inclination of slope

H w :

Depth of water table from toe

References

  1. Gasmo JM, Rahardjo H, Leong EC (2000) Infiltration effects on stability of a residual soil slope. Comput Geotech 26(2):145–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-352X(99)00035-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Rahardjo H, Lim TT, Chang MF, Fredlund DG (1995) Shear-strength characteristics of a residual soil. Can Geotech J 32(1):60–77. https://doi.org/10.1139/t95-005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Rahardjo H, Lim TT, Chang MF, Fredlund DG (1996) Effect of rainfall on matric suctions in a residual soil slope. Can Geotech J 33(4):618–628. https://doi.org/10.1139/t96-087

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Rahardjo H, Li XW, Toll DG, Leong EC (2001) The effect of antecedent rainfall on slope stability. In: Toll DG (ed) Unsaturated soil concepts and their application in geotechnical practice. Springer, Berlin, pp 371–399. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9775-3_8

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  5. Rahardjo H, Lee TT, Leong EC, Rezaur RB (2005) Response of a residual soil slope to rainfall. Can Geotech J 42(2):340–351. https://doi.org/10.1139/t04-101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Rahardjo H, Ong TH, Rezaur RB, Leong EC (2007) Factors controlling instability of homogeneous soil slopes under rainfall. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 133(12):1532–1543. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2007)133:12(1532)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Tsaparas I, Rahardjo H, Toll DG, Leong EC (2002) Controlling parameters for rainfall-induced landslides. Comput Geotech 29(1):1–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-352X(01)00019-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Zhang LL, Fredlund DG, Zhang LM, Tang WH (2004) Numerical study of soil conditions under which matric suction can be maintained. Can Geotech J 41(4):569–582. https://doi.org/10.1139/t04-006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Oh WT, Vanapalli SK (2010) Influence of rain infiltration on the stability of compacted soil slopes. Comput Geotech 37(5):649–657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2010.04.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Rahimi A, Rahardjo H, Leong EC (2011) Effect of antecedent rainfall patterns on rainfall-induced slope failure. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 137(5):483–491. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Miao H, Wang G, Yin K, Kamai T, Li Y (2014) Mechanism of the slow-moving landslides in Jurassic red-strata in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China. Eng Geol 171:59–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.12.017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Chen Y, Withanage KR, Uchimura T, Mao W, Nie W (2020) Shear deformation and failure of unsaturated sandy soils in surface layers of slopes during rainwater infiltration. Meas J Int Meas Confed 149:107001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2019.107001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Fredlund DG, Morgenstern NR, Widger RA (1978) The shear strength of unsaturated soils. Can Geotech J 15(3):313–321. https://doi.org/10.1139/t78-029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Vanapalli SK, Fredlund DG, Pufahl DE, Clifton AW (1996) Model for the prediction of shear strength with respect to soil suction. Can Geotech J 33(3):379–392. https://doi.org/10.1139/t96-060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Yin Y (2011) Recent catastrophic landslides and mitigation in China. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 3(1):10–18. https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1235.2011.00010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Sah N, Kumar M, Upadhyay R, Dutt S (2018) Hill slope instability of Nainital City, Kumaun Lesser Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 10(2):280–289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2017.09.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Rahardjo H, Nio AS, Leong EC, Song NY (2010) Effects of groundwater table position and soil properties on stability of slope during rainfall. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 136(11):1555–1564. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000385

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Yubonchit S, Chinkulkijniwat A, Horpibulsuk S, Jothityangkoon C, Arulrajah A, Suddeepong A (2017) Influence factors involving rainfall-induced shallow slope failure: numerical study. Int J Geomech 17(7):04016158. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000865

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Zhang F, Liu G, Chen W, Liang S, Chen R, Han W (2012) Human-induced landslide on a high cut slope: a case of repeated failures due to multi-excavation. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 4(4):367–374. https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1235.2012.00367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Cai F, Ugai K (2004) Numerical analysis of rainfall effects on slope stability. Int J Geomech 4(2):69–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2008.03.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Yalcin A (2011) A geotechnical study on the landslides in the Trabzon Province, NE, Turkey. Appl Clay Sci 52(1–2):11–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2011.01.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Chandrasekaran SS, Owaise RS, Ashwin S, Jain RM, Prasanth S, Venugopalan RB (2013) Investigation on infrastructural damages by rainfall-induced landslides during November 2009 in Nilgiris, India. Nat Hazards 65(3):1535–1557. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-012-0432-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Ering P, Babu GLS (2016) Probabilistic back analysis of rainfall induced landslide-a case study of Malin landslide India. Eng Geol 208:154–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.05.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Senthilkumar V, Chandrasekaran SS, Maji VB (2018) Rainfall-induced landslides: case study of the Marappalam landslide, Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, India. Int J Geomech 18(9):05018006. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Romkens MJM, Luk SH, Poesen JWA, Mermut AR (1995) Rain infiltration into loess soils from different geographic regions. CATENA 25(1–4):21–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/0341-8162(94)00039-H

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Lado M, Ben-Hur M (2004) Soil mineralogy effects on seal formation, runoff and soil loss. Appl Clay Sci 24(3–4):209–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2003.03.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Muhammad N, Siddiqua S (2019) Stabilization of silty sand using bentonite-magnesium-alkalinization: mechanical, physicochemical and microstructural characterization. Appl Clay Sci 183:105325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2019.105325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Gui MW, Wu YM (2014) Failure of soil under water infiltration condition. Eng Geol 181:124–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.07.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Santos RA, Esquivel ER (2018) Saturated anisotropic hydraulic conductivity of a compacted lateritic soil. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 10(5):986–991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2018.04.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. ASTM D6913 (2009) Standard test method for particle-size distribution (gradation) of soils using sieve analysis. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  31. IS 2720-Part 4 (1985) Methods of test for soils: grain size analysis

  32. ASTM D4318 (2005) Test method for liquid limit plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  33. IS 2720-Part 5 (2006) Methods of test for soils: determination of liquid and plastic limit

  34. ASTM D698 (2012) Standard test methods for laboratory compaction characteristics of soil using standard effort. ASTM International, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  35. IS 2720-Part 7 (2011) Methods of test for soils: determination of water content-dry density relation using light compaction

  36. ASTM D4767−11. Standard test method for consolidated undrained triaxial compression test for cohesive soils. ASTM International

  37. IS 2720-Part 12 (2002) Determination of shear strength parameters of soil from consolidated undrained triaxial compression test with measurement of pore water pressure

  38. ASTM D5298–10 (2010) Standard test method for measurement of soil potential using filter paper. American Society for Testing and Materials International

  39. Van Genuchten MT (1980) A closed-form equation for predicting the hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 44(5):892–898. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1980.03615995004400050002x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Richards LA (1931) Capillary conduction of liquids through porous mediums. Physics 1(5):318–333. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1745010

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  41. Lumb P (1962) Effect of rain storms on slope stability. Local Property & Printing Company, Limited, North York

    Google Scholar 

  42. Kumar VS, Sampath S, Vinayak PV, Harikumar R (2007) Rainfall intensity characteristics at coastal and high altitude stations in Kerala. J Earth Syst Sci 116(5):451–463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-007-0043-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Rahimi A, Rahardjo H, Leong EC (2010) Effect of hydraulic properties of soil on rainfall-induced slope failure. Eng Geol 114(3–4):135–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2010.04.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Wang S, Idinger G, Wu W (2021) Centrifuge modelling of rainfall-induced slope failure in variably saturated soil. Acta Geotech. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-021-01169-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

Funding was provided by Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD); currently Ministry of Education (MoE).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala, India

    K. A. Dhanya & S. Vibha

  2. Department of Civil Engineering (Primary), Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Engineering Center (Secondary), Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala, India

    P. V. Divya

Authors
  1. K. A. Dhanya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Vibha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. V. Divya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. V. Divya.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dhanya, K.A., Vibha, S. & Divya, P.V. Performance of Lateritic Soil Slopes at the Onset of Rainfall Infiltration. Indian Geotech J 53, 107–126 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-022-00660-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-022-00660-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation