Hydrological responses and stability analysis of shallow slopes with cohesionless soil subjected to continuous rainfall

Abstract

Understanding the hydrological and physical responses of shallow slopes subject to rainfall events is vital for the efficiency of a warning system setup. In this research, a series of experiments were undertaken to evaluate the hydrological responses of shallow slopes of varying steepness and when subjected to varying intensities, periods, and inter-storm periods of rainfall. An analysis of infinite slopes was also undertaken to develop a fundamental understanding of rainfall-induced shallow slope failure characteristics. The hydrological and physical responses were characterized in the infiltration and saturation phases. During the infiltration phase, the maximum magnitude of water content was found behind the wetting front, termed as the water content behind the wetting front (θwb). For a certain soil type, the magnitude of θwb was found to be dependent on the magnitude of rainfall intensity, regardless of the slope gradient and initial water content. Based on the relative depth of the failure plane, the failure can be categorized by three prime modes: (i) along the impervious layer mode, (ii) shallow depth mode, and (iii) transitional mode. These modes can be characterized by the magnitude of a stability index termed as [Formula: see text] ratio. An infiltration index, termed as i/ks ratio, was found to play a role in the depth of the failure plane only for the transitional mode.

Assessment of probability of failure on rainfall-induced shallow landslides at slope scale using a physical-based model and fuzzy point estimate method

“…In the process of rainfall infiltration, rainfall intensity affected the development of the shallow saturation profile, revealing the important influence of vertical seepage on shallow hydrological responses. Chinkulkijniwat et al (2016) conducted experiments to evaluate the hydrological response of different shallow slope and showed similar findings. The slope soil was unstable owing to rainfall infiltration, which was affected by the change and distribution of soil water content.…”

The Relatively Stable Seepage Field: A New Concept to Determine Seepage Field in the Design of a Dry-Stack Tailings Pond

“…The seepage field can be solved by theoretical derivation [16,17] or numerical simulation [18,19]. The distribution characteristics and evolution law of the seepage field can be reflected by indicators such as pore water pressure [20] and the change in groundwater level (phreatic line) [20,21]. The above research methods have been widely used in the stability analysis of slope seepage under rainfall [17,18].…”

“…At present, there are many achievements in slope seepage and stability analysis under rainfall. Relevant literature shows that different rainfall patterns [18,22], amounts of rainfall [23], rainfall periods [20], prophase rainfall [24], soil materials [25,26], and different slopes [27] have a greater impact on the slope seepage field under rainfall.…”

Massive, continuous, and non-invasive surface measurement of degree of saturation by shortwave infrared images

“…In the experimental field of unsaturated soils, it is of interest to measure the degree of saturation (Sr), water content, and suction because they control their mechanical and hydraulic behavior (Vanapalli and Mohamed 2007, Olivares et al 2009, Chinkulkijniwat et al 2016. The measurement of these inter-related variables is traditionally carried out by means of devices (tensiometers, hygrometers, capacitance sensors and dielectric sensors) that collect discrete D r a f t data in localized volumes.…”