Many recent publications on the influence of sampling techniques indicate that, generally speaking, the quality of the samples increases with the diameter of the sampling equipment. However, all studies also conclude that even the large diameter samplers available on the market substantially damage the structure of the clays of eastern Canada, as compared to the sample quality obtained by block sampling. In addition to the difficulties associated with the excavation of the trenches necessary for block sampling, the depth of block sampling is limited, at least in soft clays.The sampling technique described in the present paper allows the retrieval of deep blocks, working from the ground surface and using a cutting method quite similar to that used for conventional block sampling. The large diameter borehole is filled with water or bentonite slurry to reduce the possibility of bottom heave. By comparing the results of unconfined compression tests it is shown that the samples obtained by this method are of a quality equal or superior to that of blocks sampled conventionally at the bottom of open cuts.

It is generally admitted that the long term stability of clay slopes should be analysed in terms of effective stresses, which necessitates the knowledge of the pore pressure conditions and of the relationship between the shear strength and the effective stresses. This paper deals with the determination of shear strength for stability analysis of clay slopes in Eastern Canada. First the various concepts pertinent to slope stability in soft clay are examined and a certain justification of the use of the post-peak or large strain strength is demonstrated. In a second part, 14 case records of natural slopes or permanent excavation slopes are presented and analysed in terms of the post-peak strength. Finally, values of post-peak strength determined in the laboratory for more than 30 sites are presented and it is attempted to derive correlations by which the shear strength parameters could be readily approximated from other properties such as the apparent preconsolidation pressure or the vane strength.

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A detailed inventory of the numerous landslides which have taken place in the Province of Quebec has shown that they are concentrated in given areas. Extensive studies carried out in three different areas have revealed a coincidence between the concentration of landslides and the existence of valleys in the bedrock underlying the clay deposits.Piezometric levels measured on the field have consistently shown the prevalence of a downward gradient in the upper part of the slope and an upward gradient with artesian pressure at the toe. These flow conditions which can be imputed in part to the presence of the valley in the bedrock produce the leaching of the salt in the pore water of the clay resulting in a decrease of the shear strength and an increase of sensitivity of the clay.Un inventaire detail16 des nombreux glissements de terrains qui se sont produits dans la Province de QuCbec a dCmontrC que ces glissements sont concentrCs dans des rCgions donnCes. Des Ctudes gkotechniques dCtaillCes exCcutCes dans trois de ces regions ont rCvClC une coincidence remarquable entre la concentration des glissements et l'existence de vallCes dans le lit rocheux sous-jacent aux dCpBts d'argile.Les niveaux piCzomCtriques mesurCs sur le terrain ont dtmontrt que, dans les trois cas CtudiCs, il existe un gradient d'Ccoulement vers le bas dans la partie supCrieure des talus et un gradient vers le haut avec pression artCsienne h la base de la pente. Ces conditions d'Ccoulement qui peuvent &tre expliquCes en partie par la prCsence d'une vallCe dans le lit rocheux produisent un lessivage du sel dans l'eau interstitielle, ce qui rCsulte en une diminution de la rtsistance au cisaillement et une augmentation de la sensibilitk de l'argile.

The purposes of the paper are to examine the deepening of valleys in clay deposits of Eastern Canada and in particular to look at the changes in the groundwater regime and slope stability conditions during valley formation. Field observations and laboratory testing indicate that the rate of valley deepening in Champlain clay deposits is of the order of only a few millimetres a year, owing to the low erodibility of the intact clay. The clay banks are, however, more erodible, owing to alteration and fissuration.The stratigraphy of Eastern Canadian clay deposits can be simplified by considering it to be a stratum of low permeabilityconfined between two boundary layers of relatively high permeability, which are the till layer at the base and a weathered crust or coarse-grained layer at the top. As the valley bottom get closer to the bottom till layer, the groundwater regime, and consequently the stability conditions, are modified. During the process of valley formation, the groundwater regime passes through astage where the conditions are rather detrimental to slope stability as it evolves toward conditions that enhance bank stability. Those changes in stability conditions happen over geological time more rapidly or less, depending on clay erodibility. Key words: soft clay, valley formation, slope stability, groundwater, erosion, erodibility.