published_or_final_version / Applied Geosciences / Master / Master of Science

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil Engineering, 1979. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography: p. 252-256. / Ph.D.

Thesis. 1978. M.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil Engineering. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography: leaves 117-120. / M.S.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Civil Engineering, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references.

Talus form and development in the Similkameen Valley near Keremeos, British Columbia was investigated. Initial observations suggested that talus formation in the region was entering a passive stage and subsequent analysis has confirmed that the talus slopes are tending towards stability. Volcanic ash exposed on one talus slope allowed the calculation of relative rates of past and recent talus accumulation which supported a 'diminishing sediment yield' concept. Analysis of climate data recorded at Keremeos since 1930 revealed a high frequency of frost cycles. This suggests the importance of frost action as a mechanism of weathering along the exposed headwalls and it is thought that the occurrence of abundant and massive talus forms in the region is basically the result of frost weathering in association with lithologic controls. A fence structure designed to capture rockfall debris yielded fair results and substantiated the validity of using vegetation as an index of stability on talus slopes. A weak but not monotonic increase in sediment size down slope was detected on a number of slopes, contradicting an initial visual impression. Debris sampled along lateral profiles on one talus cone is significantly larger at the 1% level than debris sampled along the central profile. Some correlation between size and angle is implied, since the lateral profiles are also steeper; it is hypothesized that transport mechanisms down the sides are different from those along the center of the cone. Readily observable cross-slope sorting, resulting in the development of longitudinal strips of fine and coarse debris, is explained in terms of differential mass movement mechanisms. It is concluded that the talus slopes studied are complex and influenced by a variety of processes in addition to primary deposition. The mapping of one talus cone at a five foot contour interval provided the basis for a detailed analysis of talus form. A sample of the debris size taken simultaneously with the mapping of the surface allowed for the calculation and establishment of a fourth degree trend surface, an examination of which is made in conjunction with the map and photos of the cone. Practical implications of the development of talus as applied to this region are discussed. / Arts, Faculty of / Geography, Department of / Graduate

Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering, 1981 / by Abdo Kamal Shair. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering

No description available.

Dwyka tillite quarries in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal have shown remarkable stable slopes faces even though some of them were quarried over 30 years ago. This can be attributed to their resistance to weathering, the high degree of joint surface roughness, the general lack of any joint infill and the limonitic staining found on most weathered joint surfaces. The latter appears to increase joint roughness. The high percentages of joints terminating within the rock mass or against other discontinuities as well as their low persistence results in a high degree of joint interlocking. These are shown to be very important factors contributing to the overall slope stability. Detailed discontinuity surveys were carried out at five different quarries located throughout the KwaZulu-Natal region. Only three of these quarries are presently being quarried. This allowed the study and comparison of joint and slope stability characteristics for both the older, more weathered rock faces and those of the recently quarried, and thus fairly unweathered rock faces. Joint orientation data from the various sites show that two to three sets of high angle joints and one low angle joint set are common. The potential of wedge and planar failure is therefore very high. The steeply dipping discontinuities also promote the potential for flexural toppling failure and this was noted in several of the quarry faces. Recognised geotechnical techniques and computer models were used to establish potential modes of failure and to estimate factors of safety. Wedge failure, at partially saturated and saturated conditions, was identified as being the main source of potential slope instability on the quarry rock faces. The quality of the rock mass of each slope was also classified according to various rock mass classification systems. The rock mass quality generally was rated as being 'fair' to 'good', meaning that slopes are partially stable to stable. The results of each rating system were also compared. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.