No description available.

No description available.

To aid in forest management, various approaches using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been used to identify the spatial distributions of relative slope instability. This study presents a systematic evaluation of three common slope instability modeling approaches applied in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The modeling approaches include the Qualitative Map Combination, Bivariate Statistical Analysis, and the Shallow Landsliding Stability (SHALSTAB) model. Historically, the qualitative nature of the first model has led to the use of more quantitative statistical models and more deterministic physically-based models such as SHALSTAB. Although numerous studies have been performed utilizing each approach in various regions of the world, only a few comparisons of these approaches have been done in order to assess whether the quantitative and deterministic models result in better identification of instability. The goal of this study is to provide an assessment of relative model behavior and error potential in order to ascertain which model may be the most effective at identifying slope instability in a forest management context. The models are developed using both 10-meter and 30-meter elevation data and outputs are standardized and classified into instability classes (e.g. low instability to high instability). The outputs are compared with cross-tabulation tables based on the area (m²) assigned to each instability class and validated using known locations of debris flows. In addition, an assessment of the effects of varying source data (i.e. 10-meter vs. 30-meter) is performed. Among all models and using either resolution data, the Qualitative Map Combination correctly identifies the most debris flows. In addition, the Qualitative Map Combination is the best model in terms of correctly identifying debris flows while minimizing the classification of high instability in areas not affected by debris flows. The statistical model only performs well when using 10-meter data while SHALSTAB only performs well using 30-meter data. Overall, 30-meter elevation data predicts the location of debris flows better than 10-meter data due to the inclusion of more area into higher instability classes. Of the models, the statistical approach is the least sensitive to variations in source elevation data. / Master of Science

Acoustic emission (AE) is a natural phenomenon that occurs when a solid is subjected to stress. These emissions are produced by all materials during pre failure. In soil, AE results from the release of energy as particles undergo small strains. If these emissions can be detected, then it becomes possible to develop an early warning system to predict slope failure. International research has shown that AE can be used to detect ground deformations earlier than traditional techniques, and thus it has a role to play in reducing risk to humans, property and in mitigating such risks. This thesis researches the design of a system to quantify the AE and calculate the distance to the deformation zone, and hence information on the mechanism of movement. The quantification of AE is derived from measuring the AE event rate, the output of which takes the form of a displacement rate. This is accurate to an order of magnitude, in line with current standards for classifying slope movements The system also demonstrates great sensitivity to changes within the displacement rate by an order of magnitude, making the technique suitable to remediation monitoring. Knowledge of the position of the shear surface is critical to the planning of cost effective stabllisation measures. This thesis details the development of a single sensor source location technique used to obtain the depth of a developing or existing shear surface within a slope. The active waveguide is used to reduce attenuation by taking advantage of the relatively low attenuation of metals such as steel. A method of source location based on the analysis of Lamb wave mode arrival times at a smgle sensor is summansed. An automatic approach to source location is demonstrated to locate a regular AE source to within one metre. Overall consideration is also given to field trials and towards the production of monitoring protocols for data analysis, and the implementation of necessary emergency/remediation plans.

A BR 116, no Rio Grande do Sul, perfaz uma extensão total de 653,8 quilômetros, iniciando na divisa entre SC e RS, na ponte sobre o Rio Pelotas, entre Lajes e Vacaria, prolongando-se até Jaguarão. A sua importância econômica no estado decorre do fato de ser um corredor que liga o norte do Rio Grande do Sul ao porto de Rio Grande (através da BR 392) e à fronteira com o Uruguai. A duplicação da BR-116 visa o escoamento da produção até o Porto de Rio Grande e a distribuição de produtos e bens que ingressam pelo Porto ou pela fronteira. Atualmente, as obras de duplicação encontram-se executadas em 50-60 % e parcialmente paralisadas (cada trecho/lote tem uma situação diferente). Este trabalho dedicou-se ao mapeamento geotécnico dos condicionantes de ruptura dos taludes de cortes rodoviários da BR-116, entre os municípios de São Lourenço do Sul e Barra do Ribeiro (RS). A investigação ocorreu por meio da análise dos taludes em campo, estudando as relações geológicas e pedológicas que condicionam as instabilidades situadas ao longo do trecho entre os quilômetros 332 e 477. O mapeamento geotécnico executado incluiu o levantamento da localização geográfica (coordenadas geográficas, e km da rodovia) de todos os cortes de estrada (taludes) existentes no trecho escolhido, bem como o levantamento fotográfico e a coleta de dados como altura, inclinação, extensão, cota altimétrica, medidas estruturais, medidas e descrição dos horizontes pedogenéticos, problemas geotécnicos, comportamento mecânico, fluxo de água superficial, nível do lençol freático, descrição geológica, descrição do nível de intemperismo e coleta de amostra para ensaios geotécnicos e difratometria de raios X Após as descrições de campo, os talude 8, 15 e 30 foram definidos como taludes representativos para análise mineralógica através de difração de raios X e caracterização dos argilo-minerais através de microscópio eletrônico de varredura. O talude 8 ainda contou com ensaios de cisalhamento direto para caracterização geomecânica do horizonte C. Esta análise permitiu definir que o principal condicionante para as rupturas de taludes na BR-116, trecho Sul, está na exposição do horizonte C, que induz diferentes tipos de processos erosivos sobre o mesmo. As investigações mostraram que a exposição do horizonte C faz com que a água da chuva aja na erosão direta do sopé do talude, ou na formação de canaletas e piping pela remoção de finos, os quais evoluem para bossorocas. As estruturas geológicas reliquiares preenchidas por caulinita também incrementam os processos erosivos, pela retirada da base estrutural de todo o corte. Assim, os horizontes A e B e a vegetação logo acima perdem sustentação e a gravidade determina o rompimento do talude em escorregamentos rotacionais. A continuidade dos eventos pluviométricos e, portanto, dos processos erosivos induzem novas rupturas em alguns taludes, ou na erosão direta do material escorregado para a base do talude, removendo material para as drenagens adjacentes. / The BR-116 is one of the most important longitudinal highways in Rio Grande do Sul state (RS, Brazil). The highway has 653.8 kilometers, starting at the bridge over the Pelotas River, and extending to Jaguarão city. It is part of an important economic corridor, that connects the north of RS to the Rio Grande Harbor (through BR 392) and Uruguay border. Therefore, the importance of the highway to the economic outflow from the state. The BR-116 duplication effort is actually halfway to the end, each segment in a different situation, and is slowly going on. This work was focused on mapping the geotechnical controlling factor for road cuts slidings, that occurred between São Lourenço do Sul and Barra do Ribeiro municipalities (RS) along BR-116 highway. The geotechnical investigation was carried out through fieldworks road cut slopes analysis, which included geology and pedology slopes characterization along the 332 and 477 kilometer of the BR-116 highway. The geotechnical field mapping procedures include recording and analyzing the geographic location (geodetic coordinates, and altimeter), photographic survey, and mainly the height, inclination, extension, structural features measurements, measure and description of pedogenetic horizons, geotechnical problems, mechanical behavior, surface water flow, groundwater level, geological description, description of weathering level and sample collection for all road cut slopes that show sliding or erosional features. The slopes numbered 8, 15 and 30 were defined as representative slopes for mineralogical analysis (X-ray diffraction and scanning electronic microscope) This analyses allowed to define that the main controlling factor for the road cut sliding along BR-116 under duplication is the exposure of the pedogenetic C horizon, since this enables different erosional processes upon it. The investigation has shown that the rainwater can acts directly on the footwall erosion, or even in the formation of channels and piping, which evolve to ravines. The relict geological structures weathered to kaolinite additionally contribute to the erosion processes. In such a scenario, the decreasing structural support due to C horizon erosion enable gravity to act upon pedogenetic A and B horizons, as well as on the vegetation cover just above, and cause rotational sliping on the road cut slopes. The subsequent pluviometric events contribute to additional direct erosion on slope footwall, to material removal to adjacent drainage channels, and, consequently, to repeated sliping in some slopes.

This thesis presents the analysis of complex slope deformations through the application of numerical modelling techniques. Complex slope deformations, in this thesis, include cases where the use of more conventional analytical tools such as limit equilibrium techniques or the use of empirical criteria are not readily applicable. Such a scenario often results from adverse geological and environmental conditions or from human activity. Examples of complex slope deformations are the influence of underground mining on a slope, or situations where rigid jointed rocks overly relatively weak layers. The use of numerical modelling techniques, both continuum and discontinuum, in the analysis of slope stability problems has increased rapidly in the last decade and proved valuable in the analysis of complex geomechanical problems. Two numerical modeling programs FLAC (Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua) and UDEC (Universal Distinct Element Code) were used in this thesis. Three main groups of problems were investigated: (1) The analysis of deformation associated with rigid jointed rocks overlying relatively weak layers including a case study involving deformation taking place in the foundation of the Spis Castle in Slovakia. It was demonstrated that the type of deformation in such cases depends on the strength, deformability and thickness of the weak layer as well as the jointing pattern of the overlying rocks. It was shown, that the deformations at Spis castle are governed primarily by the presence of a weak, plastic "creep zone" under the base of the travertine blocks on which the castle is founded. (2) The analysis of toppling deformation in a weak rock slope comprising several lithostratigraphic units at the Luscar Mine, Alberta. It was found that the instability mechanism in the initial phase was flexural toppling, confined to a distinct quasi-linear failure surface which provided the shear plane for subsequent sliding movement. A prediction of slope stability for a planned mine extension in the same pit was made, thereby determining "safe excavation limits". (3) The analysis of interaction between underground mining and slope instability. The analyses of various slope deformation mechanisms that can be induced by underground mining are presented. The analysis of the Frank Slide in southwestern Alberta illustrated the critical role of underground mining at the base of the Turtle Mountain on triggering the final slope failure. The analyses present within this thesis demonstrate the application of numerical modelling techniques in the characterization of complex slope deformations. New interpretations of existing failure mechanisms were presented in the case of the Frank Slide, and improved understanding of the failure mechanism and slope deformation were gained in the Luscar Mine and Spis Castle case studies. Furthermore, hypothetical modelling studies relevant to underground mining and block-type deformations allow an increased understanding of complex slope deformations.

A BR 116, no Rio Grande do Sul, perfaz uma extensão total de 653,8 quilômetros, iniciando na divisa entre SC e RS, na ponte sobre o Rio Pelotas, entre Lajes e Vacaria, prolongando-se até Jaguarão. A sua importância econômica no estado decorre do fato de ser um corredor que liga o norte do Rio Grande do Sul ao porto de Rio Grande (através da BR 392) e à fronteira com o Uruguai. A duplicação da BR-116 visa o escoamento da produção até o Porto de Rio Grande e a distribuição de produtos e bens que ingressam pelo Porto ou pela fronteira. Atualmente, as obras de duplicação encontram-se executadas em 50-60 % e parcialmente paralisadas (cada trecho/lote tem uma situação diferente). Este trabalho dedicou-se ao mapeamento geotécnico dos condicionantes de ruptura dos taludes de cortes rodoviários da BR-116, entre os municípios de São Lourenço do Sul e Barra do Ribeiro (RS). A investigação ocorreu por meio da análise dos taludes em campo, estudando as relações geológicas e pedológicas que condicionam as instabilidades situadas ao longo do trecho entre os quilômetros 332 e 477. O mapeamento geotécnico executado incluiu o levantamento da localização geográfica (coordenadas geográficas, e km da rodovia) de todos os cortes de estrada (taludes) existentes no trecho escolhido, bem como o levantamento fotográfico e a coleta de dados como altura, inclinação, extensão, cota altimétrica, medidas estruturais, medidas e descrição dos horizontes pedogenéticos, problemas geotécnicos, comportamento mecânico, fluxo de água superficial, nível do lençol freático, descrição geológica, descrição do nível de intemperismo e coleta de amostra para ensaios geotécnicos e difratometria de raios X Após as descrições de campo, os talude 8, 15 e 30 foram definidos como taludes representativos para análise mineralógica através de difração de raios X e caracterização dos argilo-minerais através de microscópio eletrônico de varredura. O talude 8 ainda contou com ensaios de cisalhamento direto para caracterização geomecânica do horizonte C. Esta análise permitiu definir que o principal condicionante para as rupturas de taludes na BR-116, trecho Sul, está na exposição do horizonte C, que induz diferentes tipos de processos erosivos sobre o mesmo. As investigações mostraram que a exposição do horizonte C faz com que a água da chuva aja na erosão direta do sopé do talude, ou na formação de canaletas e piping pela remoção de finos, os quais evoluem para bossorocas. As estruturas geológicas reliquiares preenchidas por caulinita também incrementam os processos erosivos, pela retirada da base estrutural de todo o corte. Assim, os horizontes A e B e a vegetação logo acima perdem sustentação e a gravidade determina o rompimento do talude em escorregamentos rotacionais. A continuidade dos eventos pluviométricos e, portanto, dos processos erosivos induzem novas rupturas em alguns taludes, ou na erosão direta do material escorregado para a base do talude, removendo material para as drenagens adjacentes. / The BR-116 is one of the most important longitudinal highways in Rio Grande do Sul state (RS, Brazil). The highway has 653.8 kilometers, starting at the bridge over the Pelotas River, and extending to Jaguarão city. It is part of an important economic corridor, that connects the north of RS to the Rio Grande Harbor (through BR 392) and Uruguay border. Therefore, the importance of the highway to the economic outflow from the state. The BR-116 duplication effort is actually halfway to the end, each segment in a different situation, and is slowly going on. This work was focused on mapping the geotechnical controlling factor for road cuts slidings, that occurred between São Lourenço do Sul and Barra do Ribeiro municipalities (RS) along BR-116 highway. The geotechnical investigation was carried out through fieldworks road cut slopes analysis, which included geology and pedology slopes characterization along the 332 and 477 kilometer of the BR-116 highway. The geotechnical field mapping procedures include recording and analyzing the geographic location (geodetic coordinates, and altimeter), photographic survey, and mainly the height, inclination, extension, structural features measurements, measure and description of pedogenetic horizons, geotechnical problems, mechanical behavior, surface water flow, groundwater level, geological description, description of weathering level and sample collection for all road cut slopes that show sliding or erosional features. The slopes numbered 8, 15 and 30 were defined as representative slopes for mineralogical analysis (X-ray diffraction and scanning electronic microscope) This analyses allowed to define that the main controlling factor for the road cut sliding along BR-116 under duplication is the exposure of the pedogenetic C horizon, since this enables different erosional processes upon it. The investigation has shown that the rainwater can acts directly on the footwall erosion, or even in the formation of channels and piping, which evolve to ravines. The relict geological structures weathered to kaolinite additionally contribute to the erosion processes. In such a scenario, the decreasing structural support due to C horizon erosion enable gravity to act upon pedogenetic A and B horizons, as well as on the vegetation cover just above, and cause rotational sliping on the road cut slopes. The subsequent pluviometric events contribute to additional direct erosion on slope footwall, to material removal to adjacent drainage channels, and, consequently, to repeated sliping in some slopes.

A BR 116, no Rio Grande do Sul, perfaz uma extensão total de 653,8 quilômetros, iniciando na divisa entre SC e RS, na ponte sobre o Rio Pelotas, entre Lajes e Vacaria, prolongando-se até Jaguarão. A sua importância econômica no estado decorre do fato de ser um corredor que liga o norte do Rio Grande do Sul ao porto de Rio Grande (através da BR 392) e à fronteira com o Uruguai. A duplicação da BR-116 visa o escoamento da produção até o Porto de Rio Grande e a distribuição de produtos e bens que ingressam pelo Porto ou pela fronteira. Atualmente, as obras de duplicação encontram-se executadas em 50-60 % e parcialmente paralisadas (cada trecho/lote tem uma situação diferente). Este trabalho dedicou-se ao mapeamento geotécnico dos condicionantes de ruptura dos taludes de cortes rodoviários da BR-116, entre os municípios de São Lourenço do Sul e Barra do Ribeiro (RS). A investigação ocorreu por meio da análise dos taludes em campo, estudando as relações geológicas e pedológicas que condicionam as instabilidades situadas ao longo do trecho entre os quilômetros 332 e 477. O mapeamento geotécnico executado incluiu o levantamento da localização geográfica (coordenadas geográficas, e km da rodovia) de todos os cortes de estrada (taludes) existentes no trecho escolhido, bem como o levantamento fotográfico e a coleta de dados como altura, inclinação, extensão, cota altimétrica, medidas estruturais, medidas e descrição dos horizontes pedogenéticos, problemas geotécnicos, comportamento mecânico, fluxo de água superficial, nível do lençol freático, descrição geológica, descrição do nível de intemperismo e coleta de amostra para ensaios geotécnicos e difratometria de raios X Após as descrições de campo, os talude 8, 15 e 30 foram definidos como taludes representativos para análise mineralógica através de difração de raios X e caracterização dos argilo-minerais através de microscópio eletrônico de varredura. O talude 8 ainda contou com ensaios de cisalhamento direto para caracterização geomecânica do horizonte C. Esta análise permitiu definir que o principal condicionante para as rupturas de taludes na BR-116, trecho Sul, está na exposição do horizonte C, que induz diferentes tipos de processos erosivos sobre o mesmo. As investigações mostraram que a exposição do horizonte C faz com que a água da chuva aja na erosão direta do sopé do talude, ou na formação de canaletas e piping pela remoção de finos, os quais evoluem para bossorocas. As estruturas geológicas reliquiares preenchidas por caulinita também incrementam os processos erosivos, pela retirada da base estrutural de todo o corte. Assim, os horizontes A e B e a vegetação logo acima perdem sustentação e a gravidade determina o rompimento do talude em escorregamentos rotacionais. A continuidade dos eventos pluviométricos e, portanto, dos processos erosivos induzem novas rupturas em alguns taludes, ou na erosão direta do material escorregado para a base do talude, removendo material para as drenagens adjacentes. / The BR-116 is one of the most important longitudinal highways in Rio Grande do Sul state (RS, Brazil). The highway has 653.8 kilometers, starting at the bridge over the Pelotas River, and extending to Jaguarão city. It is part of an important economic corridor, that connects the north of RS to the Rio Grande Harbor (through BR 392) and Uruguay border. Therefore, the importance of the highway to the economic outflow from the state. The BR-116 duplication effort is actually halfway to the end, each segment in a different situation, and is slowly going on. This work was focused on mapping the geotechnical controlling factor for road cuts slidings, that occurred between São Lourenço do Sul and Barra do Ribeiro municipalities (RS) along BR-116 highway. The geotechnical investigation was carried out through fieldworks road cut slopes analysis, which included geology and pedology slopes characterization along the 332 and 477 kilometer of the BR-116 highway. The geotechnical field mapping procedures include recording and analyzing the geographic location (geodetic coordinates, and altimeter), photographic survey, and mainly the height, inclination, extension, structural features measurements, measure and description of pedogenetic horizons, geotechnical problems, mechanical behavior, surface water flow, groundwater level, geological description, description of weathering level and sample collection for all road cut slopes that show sliding or erosional features. The slopes numbered 8, 15 and 30 were defined as representative slopes for mineralogical analysis (X-ray diffraction and scanning electronic microscope) This analyses allowed to define that the main controlling factor for the road cut sliding along BR-116 under duplication is the exposure of the pedogenetic C horizon, since this enables different erosional processes upon it. The investigation has shown that the rainwater can acts directly on the footwall erosion, or even in the formation of channels and piping, which evolve to ravines. The relict geological structures weathered to kaolinite additionally contribute to the erosion processes. In such a scenario, the decreasing structural support due to C horizon erosion enable gravity to act upon pedogenetic A and B horizons, as well as on the vegetation cover just above, and cause rotational sliping on the road cut slopes. The subsequent pluviometric events contribute to additional direct erosion on slope footwall, to material removal to adjacent drainage channels, and, consequently, to repeated sliping in some slopes.

No description available.

Earthquake-induced slope instability is one of the major sources of earthquake hazards in near fault regions. Simplified tools, such as Newmark&rsquo / s Sliding Block (NSB) Analysis are widely used to represent the stability of a slope under earthquake shaking. The outcome of this analogy is the slope displacement where larger displacement values indicate higher seismic slope instability risk. Recent studies in the literature propose empirical models between the slope displacement and single or multiple ground motion intensity measures such as peak ground acceleration or Arias intensity. These correlations are based on the analysis of large datasets from global ground motion recording database (PEER NGA-W1 Database). Ground motions from earthquakes occurred in Turkey are poorly represented in NGA-W1 database since corrected and processed data from Turkey was not available until recently. The objective of this study is to evaluate the compatibility of available NSB displacement prediction models for the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA) applications in Turkey using a comprehensive dataset of ground motions recorded during earthquakes occurred in Turkey. Then the application of selected NSB displacement prediction model in a vector-valued PSHA framework is demonstrated with the explanations of seismic source characterization, ground motion prediction models and ground motion intensity measure correlation coefficients. The results of the study is presented in terms of hazard curves and a comparison is made with a case history in Asarsuyu Region where seismically induced landslides (Bakacak Landslides) had taken place during 1999 D&uuml / zce Earthquake.