Infiltration of surface water increases pore water pressures in slopes and reduces their stability. Common landslide features such as tension cracks and sag ponds can act as preferential pathways for surface drainage and may increase infiltration and exacerbate pore pressure–induced instability. Surface water drainage control is likewise recommended by numerous authors as an effective and inexpensive landslide mitigation method and has been shown to reduce the risk of landslides. While robust design procedures for other geotechnical applications exist (e.g., slope reduction, subsurface drains), similar procedures for landslide surface water drainage control have remained largely ad hoc and vary among practitioners. The objective of this article is to summarize technical literature related to surface water drainage control and provide a coherent design procedure for landslides.

In support of three-dimensional modeling of soils in the near surface, a method was developed to define soil material types quantitatively using statistical comparisons of properties expected to impact sensor performance. To maintain technical continuity with other soils research and ensure relevance to soils engineering, many of the parameters chosen for statistical comparisons included conventional properties familiar to geotechnical researchers. Other, more sensor-specific soil properties, such as effective saturation and thermal conductivity, were used to allow for direct correlation between classified soil materials and sensor response. Initial trials of the method evaluated datasets from four sites in the U.S. and Asia. Early results showed that the number of statistically distinguishable materials tends to mimic the number of soil horizons sampled for a given dataset. Results also revealed a critical need for further research on the interactions of various soil properties and states between and among each other to determine the combinations that have the strongest influence on sensor response patterns. This protocol for delineating near-surface soil materials advances earlier techniques and improves the state-of-knowledge of modeling geologic features in three dimensions for sensor simulation. DISCLAIMER:The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents.

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