The paper describes a field experiment in which a 9 m deep cut slope in Gault Clay was brought to failure by pore pressure recharge. The geology of the site is described and the procedures used to form the slope are explained. A novel feature was the use of low-friction panels at each end of the study section to form isolation trenches and thus encourage primarily two-dimensional displacements. The site was extensively instrumented using piezometers, inclinometers and surface wire extensometer lines. The system used for the pore pressure recharge is described in detail. This paper also describes the laboratory testing programme performed as part of the project and discusses instrument performance, including key results and observations drawn from the experiment. It was found that the failure of the slope took place as a result of a progressive failure mechanism, with movements initiating at the toe of the slope at an early stage in the experiment. There is some evidence that a similar progressive failure mechanism also developed from the crest of the slope. An important feature of the experiment is the detailed information obtained on slope movements throughout the period up to and beyond failure. Some results from limit equilibrium analyses are presented, which indicate that significant displacements occur even when the factor of safety is well above unity. L'article décrit une expérience sur le terrain qui a consisté à induire la rupture ďun talus remanié de 9 mètres dans de &caronlargile Gault sous ľeffet de la recharge de la pression ďean interstitielle. Les auteurs décrivent la géologie du terrain et expliquent les méthodes utilisées pour former le talus. Une innovation a consisté à utiliser des panneaux à faible coefficient de frottement à chaque extrémité la section à ľétude pour former des tranchées ´isolement et, donc, favoriser des déplacements surtout bidimensionnels. Un grand nombre &acutelinstruments ont été utilisés: piézomètres, inclinomètres et extensomètres à câblage saillant. Le système utilisé pour la recharge de la pression ďeau interstitielle est décrit en détail. ľarticle décrit également le programme ďessais en laboratoire exéé dans le cadre de cc projet et examine la performance des instruments, y compris les principaux résultats et les observations faites à partir de cette expérience. On a constaté que la rupture du talus a éé progressive, commençant au pied du talus pen après le début de ľexpérience. Certaines indications font penser qˇun m&acutelcanisme semblable de rupture progressive a également eu lieu au sommet du talus. Un aspect important de cette expérience est ľinformation détaillée obtenue sur les mouvements du talus pendant toute la période qui a préé la rupture, ainsi qˇaprès la rupture. ľarticle présente certains résultats des analyses ďéquilibre limite qui indiquent que ďimportants déplacements se produisent, même quand le coefficient de sécuré est bien supérieur à ĺunité.

The south roundabout embankment to the River Avon bridge of the St Philips Causeway in Bristol is up to 7 m high and stands on thick alluvial deposits including very soft clays and peat. Stone columns have been used to ensure short-term stability, to accelerate and control consolidation settlements, and to reduce secondary compression effects to meet stringent settlement criteria within a short period. This paper describes the design of the stone column layout and gives details of the monitoring carried out to determine its effectiveness. The results obtained confirmed the design assumptions and indicate that the ground improvement was successful. The paper highlights the importance of the correct estimation of stress levels in assessing shear strength characteristics for the column/host soil combination, and points out the reduced efficiency of the system at its margins with unimproved ground.

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2016-11-15T19:40:59

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