Slope stability assessments are classical problems for geotechnical engineers. The predictions of slope stability in soil or rock masses play an important role when designing for dams, roads, tunnels, excavations, open pit mines and other engineering structures. Stability charts continue to be used by engineers as preliminary design tools and by educators for training purposes. However, the majority of the existing chart solutions assume the slope problem is semi-infinite (plane-strain) in length. It is commonly believed that this assumption is conservative for design, but non-conservative when a back-analysis is performed. In order to obtain a more economical design or more precise parameters from a back-analysis, it is therefore important to quantify three dimensional boundary effects on slope stability. A significant aim of this research is to look more closely at the effect of three dimensions when predicting slope stability. In engineering practice, the limit equilibrium method (LEM) is the most popular approach for estimating the slope stability. It is well known that the solution obtained from the limit equilibrium method is not rigorous, because neither static nor kinematic admissibility conditions are satisfied. In addition, assumptions are made regarding inter slice forces for a two dimensional case and inter-column forces for a three dimensional case in order to find a solution. Therefore, a number of more theoretically rigorous numerical methods have been used in this research when studying 2D and 3D slope problems. In this thesis, the results of a comprehensive numerical study into the failure mechanisms of soil and rock slopes are presented. Consideration is given to the wide range of parameters that influence slope stability. The aim of this research is to better understand slope failure mechanisms and to develop rigorous stability solutions that can be used by design engineers. The study is unique in that two distinctly different numerical methods have been used in tandem to determine the ultimate stability of slopes, namely the upper and lower bound theorems of limit analysis and the displacement finite element method. The limit equilibrium method is also employed for comparison purposes. A comparison of the results from each technique provides an opportunity to validate the findings and gives a rigorous evaluation of slope stability.

The line mapping method of Piteau and Martin (1977) was tested on two different rock type road cuts in the Siskiyou National Forest, and was found to be an efficient means of collecting geological data for rock slope stability analysis. The unbiased approach of this method calls for close scrutiny of the outcrops in question, covering more ground than other methods in less time. In turn, this close attention to every crack in the outcrop reveals more about the stability of the slope, and can reveal hidden hazards of rock fall. The supportive systems for analyzing the data - stereonets and computer program packages of Watts (1986) - led to the discoveries of several potential plane and wedge failures which were not initially visible. Also revealed was the fairly stable condition of the massive wedge at Elk River, which appeared to be extremely hazardous. Each potential failure was analyzed for its Factor of Safety under dry and water saturated conditions, and the cohesion necessary to maintain stability was reported.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

In spite of decades of related research, stream channel initiation is still not well understood. Current theories of channel initiation are grounded in research conducted by Montgomery and Dietrich, largely in the transport limited, temperate, humid climate of the Pacific Northwest, USA. This field data driven work concluded that the drainage area required for channel initiation is directly correlated to the slope of the contributing area. However, there are a host of related variables that have yet to be examined in the field. This study revisits the slope-area relationship focusing on ephemeral overland flow in headwaters of both the Pacific Northwest and an environmentally contrasting island in Greece. By seeking greater understanding of the variables, such as soil properties, vegetation type, and lithology that may influence channel initiation, the study sought to find an equation for remote determination of where ephemeral flow concentrates. However, results indicated that a universal equation does not exist. Rather, the location of ephemeral flow concentration is linked to landscape type, transport versus weathering limited slopes, and corresponding overland flow type. As a result, there is potential for regional models to be developed. Two such models were found as part of this study. One indicates that in a weathering limited environment, Hortonian overland flow is the dominant ephemeral flow type and the driving force behind where it concentrates on the landscape. The other demonstrates that in a transport limited environment, ephemeral flow concentration is due saturated overland flow, with the key to location of concentration being the point of return flow.

A numerical investigation was conducted to evaluate the geotechnical safety and slope stability of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills, considering the effects of geosynthetic reinforcements, biodegradation of the waste, and associated changes in material properties, and extreme wind force simulating hurricane conditions. Three different landfill slopes, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 having the height of 122m and width of 2134m, were analyzed using Limit Equilibrium Method (SLOPE/W) and Finite Element Modeling (ANSYS). Techniques developed in this study were used to analyze a case history involving a geogrid reinforced mixed landfill expansion located in Austria. It was found that few years after construction of the landfill, there is a significant decrease in the FS due to biodegradation. Extreme wind loading was also found to cause a substantial loss in the FS. The geosynthetic reinforcement increased the slope stability and approximately compensated for the damaging effects of biodegradation and wind loading. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

Includes bibliographical references / xii, [291] leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Civil Engineering, 1992

Fenômenos de deslizamentos de encostas ocorrem em todo o mundo em diversas condições climáticas e de terrenos, custando bilhões de dólares e produzindo milhares de mortes, agravando problemas ambientais, econômicos e políticos. Um problema sério que se associa à questão dos deslizamentos de encostas é o crescimento populacional e a ocupação desordenada das encostas, caracterizando os deslizamentos como uma questão geopolítica e econômica. Ações para mitigar os problemas decorrentes desses fenômenos de deslizamentos incluem o Monitoramento Ambiental das áreas de maior susceptibilidade e o Manejo da População, quando submetidas a elevado risco de deslizamento. Os processos de monitoração consistem na coleta de um conjunto de sinais e parâmetros, provenientes do solo das encostas, que possam ser usados para o reconhecimento das dinâmicas dos solos. Combinando os sinais provenientes do solo e parâmetros que reflitam os fatores climáticos e antrópicos, causadores de desestabilizações e deslizamentos, torna-se possível utilizar estes dados combinados em modelos de avaliação de risco para realizar a Predição de Deslizamentos. No Contexto Brasileiro, existe uma forte relação entre chuvas intensas e deslizamentos de encostas, devido aos fenômenos de escoamento de águas infiltradas no solo e na erosão decorrente, sendo, portanto, o monitoramento preditivo das primeiras camadas do solo um importante recurso para a detecção das áreas de eminente risco de deslizamento. Diversas abordagens para a monitoração dos solos foram apresentadas internacionalmente, sendo estas abordagens baseadas em diversas tecnologias, como exemplos podem ser citadas as técnicas de ondas acústicas no solo, detectores de umidade relativa e pluviometria seletiva. Essas abordagens podem tirar proveito do recente paradigma de Redes Sensores, baseados em dispositivos computacionais móveis de baixo consumo, movidos a baterias, que podem formar redes de trocas de dados baseadas em redes sem fio, permitindo a conexão de diversos sensores de solo, espalhados ao longo das encostas, formando um sistema de coleta destes dados de sensores em tempo real para posterior processamento e avaliação de riscos. Frente ao exposto, este trabalho propõe um sistema de monitoramento baseado em rede sensores, capaz de estimar o risco eminente de deslizamento. O sistema proposto considerou quatro dimensões do problema de desenvolvimento e prototipação do sistema de monitoramento: (1) Proposição de um Ambiente de Simulação Física, a partir da criação de um ambiente de testes em laboratório utilizando escala reduzida; (2) Reconhecimento tecnológico e refinamento de propostas de sistemas pré-existentes, que tenham a mesma finalidade, já descritos na literatura, sejam eles projetos acadêmicos ou sistemas já comercialmente disponíveis; (3) Desenvolvimento de um Sensor Inteligente Multiparamétrico; (5) desenvolvimento de uma Rede de Monitoramento para coleta de dados vindos da encosta e processamento local. Este trabalho apresenta, como contribuição técnico-científica principal, um ambiente de simulação e monitoração, sendo este ambiente relevante para estudos das dinâmicas dos deslizamentos, bem como para a prototipação de redes de monitoração para aplicações em ambientes reais, para geração de informação sobre os riscos de deslizamento, uteis para as atividades de contingenciamento dos defeitos de deslizamento por parte da Defesa Civil. / Landslides occur around the world, in various conditions of weather and terrain, costing billions of dollars, causing thousands of deaths and worsening environmental, economic and political problems. A serious question associated with landslides is the disordered of human occupation - characterizing a geopolitical and economic issue. Actions to mitigate the problems arising from this phenomenon include environmental monitoring of the areas of greatest susceptibility for managing the higher risk population. The monitoring processes consist of recognizing soil dynamics and climatic factors, responsible for causing destabilization and landslides. In the Brazilian context, there is a strong relationship between heavy rains and landslides, since the phenomenon of runoff water infiltrated the soil and produces erosion. Therefore, a predictive monitoring of the first soil layers is an important feature for detecting areas of imminent risk of slippage. Several approaches for monitoring were presented internationally, they are based on different technologies, such as acoustic waves in the soil; detectors of relative humidity and rainfall selective analysis. All these approaches are anchored in the paradigm of remote sensing and smartsensor networks. Based on that, this paper proposes a model to estimate the imminence of of landslides risk. The proposed model is built on four pillars: (i) proposing a physics simulation environment, from the creation of a laboratory scale test environments, (ii) recognizing the technology and refinement of pre-existing models, (iv) developing of multiparametric smart sensor and (v) developing of a peer-to-peer network of sensors. This study aggregates to the scientific and technical contribution a framework for monitoring, useful for studying of landslides dynamics. Such framework is crucial for prototyping monitoring networks to be used by civil defense.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:28:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 2857097 bytes, checksum: 6b461d27fbface3dd178a5bbe1ed092c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-27 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Slopes of soil and/or rock exist naturally or are manmade in excavations (cut slopes) or landfills. When precipitation occurs on the slope, part of the rainwater infiltrates and, as the ground layers are being saturated, the suction forces decrease, eventually leading to the slope failure. This paper discusses the effect of infiltration of rainwater on the variation of safety factor values of a slope made of gneiss residual soil located at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) campus, next to another slope that failed in December, 2011. Results of laboratory tests - characterization, direct shear, water retention curve, and saturated permeability - in disturbed and undisturbed soil samples of the different soils existing in the slope and identified by standard penetration tests (SPT), are presented. Following, The variation of water content and suction in the slope are calculated, together with the safety factor along the year 2011, considering the climatic data measured at the UFV weather station - precipitation, temperature, speed and direction of winds. The infiltration of water in the slope was calculated using the commercial program VADOSE / W and the daily stability analyzes by the program SLOPE/W both from GeoStudio. The analyses showed that during rainy periods the value of the safety factor decreases, the lowest value being 1,545, in December. In dry periods, the safety factor tends to increase, but with lower rates compared to the decrease occurred during rainy periods. By analyzing the suction and the safety factor together throughout the year, it was observed that the behavior of the two variables is similar, ie, as described in the literature, when suction decreases, resistance also decreases, and the safety factor diminished. / Taludes de solo e/ou rocha existem naturalmente, ou são construídos pelo homem em escavações (taludes de corte) ou aterro. Em países tropicais, como o Brasil, muitos taludes encontram-se em parte ou totalmente com os solos na zona vadosa. Nestes casos, ocorrem forças de sucção que aumentam a resistência dos materiais que compõem o talude. Quando acontece uma precipitação sobre o talude, parte das águas pluviais infiltra e, à medida que as camadas de solo vão sendo saturadas, as forças de sucção diminuem o que, eventualmente, pode ocasionar a ruptura do talude. Neste trabalho discute-se o efeito da infiltração das águas pluviais na variação dos fatores de segurança de um talude de solo residual de gnaisse localizado no campus da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), ao lado de outro talude onde houve um significativo escorregamento em dezembro de 2011. São apresentados resultados de ensaios de laboratório caracterização, cisalhamento direto, curva de retenção de água e permeabilidade saturada em amostras deformadas e indeformadas dos solos identificados no talude por meio de sondagem à percussão. Em seguida, descreve-se a variação da umidade volumétrica, da sucção e do fator de segurança do talude ao longo do ano de 2011, considerando os dados climáticos medidos na estação meteorológica da UFV precipitação, temperatura, velocidade e direção dos ventos. O balanço hídrico e a infiltração de água no talude foram feitos com o auxílio do programa VADOSE/W e a análise diária de estabilidade feita com o programa SLOPE/W da GeoStudio. As análises mostraram que em períodos chuvosos o valor do fator de segurança diminui, tendo obtido o menor valor de 1,545, em dezembro, o que justifica numericamente a estabilidade observada em campo. Em períodos secos o valor tende a aumentar, porém em taxas menores quando comparados com a diminuição ocorrida em períodos chuvosos. Ao analisar a sucção e o fator de segurança conjuntamente ao longo do ano, observou-se que comportamento similar para as duas variáveis, ou seja, assim como descrito na literatura, quando a sucção diminuiu a resistência do talude também diminui, o que diminuiu o valor do fator de segurança.