Evolution model and failure mechanisms of rainfall-induced cracked red clay slopes:insights from Xinshao County,China

Red clay landslides are widely distributed worldwide,resulting in severe loss of life and property.Although rainfall-induced red clay slopes have received extensive attention,the role of cracks in the evolutionary process of red clay slopes and their connection to failure mechanisms is still poorly understood.A comprehensive approach integrating field investigation,laboratory tests,and numerical simulations was conducted to study the 168 red clay landslides in Xinshao County,China.The results show that red clay is prone to forming cracks at high moisture content due to its low swelling and high shrinkage properties.The failure mode of red clay slopes can be summarized in three stages:crack generation,slope excavation,and slope failure.Furthermore,the retrospective analysis and numerical simulations of the typical landslide in Guanchong indicated that intense rainfall primarily impacts the shallow layer of soil within approximately 0.5 m on the intact slope.However,cracks change the pattern of rainfall infiltration in the slope.Rainwater infiltrates rapidly through the preferential channels induced by the cracks rather than uniformly and slowly from the slope surface.This results in a significant increase in both the depth of infiltration and the saturated zone area of the cracked slope,reaching 3.8 m and 36.2 m^(2),respectively.Consequently,the factor of safety of the slope decreases by 13.4%compared to the intact slope,ultimately triggering landslides.This study can provide valuable insights into understanding the failure mechanisms of red clay slopes in China and other regions with similar geological settings.

Vane Shear Strength Based Stability Analysis of Slopes in Unconsolidated Soft Clay

In-situ vane shear test is frequently performed to determine shear strength for slope stability analysis in Tianjin New Harbor.However,the soil shear strength varies with the shear plane orientation.A possible means to reduce the effect of directional dependency of shear strength is to convert the in-situ vane shear strength into undrained shear strength parameters.A method of converting in-situ vane shear strength into undrained shear strength parameters is presented.The shear strength parameters determined for all of the in-situ vane shear strengths are subjected to statistical regression analysis to take into consideration the possible effect of non-homogeneity in the soft clay deposit.Using the regressed shear strength parameters,slope stability analyses are performed for five existing soil slopes.The results of stability analyses indicate that the safety factors obtained from the converted parameters reflect the state of the slopes analyzed much better than those obtained from in-situ vane shear strength and laboratory consolidated-undrained and unconsolidated-undrained strength parameters.It is concluded that the presented methsod of determining undrained shear strength parameters for in-situ vane shear strength is effective.

Numerical Modelling for Dynamic Instability Process of Submarine Soft Clay Slopes Under Seismic Loading

Marine geological disasters occurred frequently in the deep-water slope area of the northern South China Sea,especially submarine landslides,which caused serious damage to marine facilities.The cyclic elastoplastic model that can describe the cyclic stress-strain response characteristic for soft clay,is embedded into the coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian(CEL)algorithm of ABAQUS by means of subroutine interface technology.On the basis of CEL technique and undrained cyclic elastoplastic model,a method for analyzing the dynamic instability process of marine slopes under the action of earthquake load is developed.The rationality for cyclic elastoplastic constitutive model is validated by comparing its calculated results with those of von Mises model built in Abaqus.The dynamic instability process of slopes under different conditions are analyzed.The results indicate that the deformation accumulation of soft clay have a significant effect on the dynamic instability process of submarine slopes under earthquake loading.The cumulative deformation is taken into our model and this makes the calculated final deformation of the slope under earthquake load larger than the results of conventional numerical method.When different contact conditions are used for analysis,the smaller the friction coefficient is,the larger the deformation of slopes will be.A numerical analysis method that can both reflect the dynamic properties of soft clay and display the dynamic instability process of submarine landslide is proposed,which could visually predict the topographies of the previous and post failure for submarine slope.

Multi-factor sensitivity analysis of shallow unsaturated clay slope stability

An unsaturated clay slope, with various sloping angles and a thickness of 14 m, consists of backfill, slope soil and residual soil. Slide interfaces were determined by geophysical approaches and the original slope was reconstructed. Sub-slope masses were classified based on the varieties of sloping angle. A force recursive principle was proposed to calculate the stability coefficient of the sub-slope masses. The influencing factors such as sloping angle, water content, hydrostatic pressure, seismic force as well as train load were analyzed. The range and correlation of the above-mentioned factors were discussed and coupled wave equations were established to reflect the relationships between unit weight, cohesion, internal frictional angle, and water content, as well as between internal frictional angle and cohesion. The sensitivity analysis of slope stability was carried out and susceptive factors were determined when the factors were taken as independent and dependent variables respectively. The results show that sloping angle, water content and earthquake are the principal susceptive factors influencing slope stability. The impact of hydrostatic pressure on slope stability is similar to the seismic force in quantity. Train load plays a small role in slope stability and its influencing only reaches the roadbed and its neighboring slope segment. If the factors are taken as independent variables, the influencing extent of water content and cohesion on slope stability can be weakened and train load can be magnified.

Stress and Displacement Distribution of Soft Clay Slope with 2D and 3D Elastoplastic Finite Element Method

Based on elastoplastic model, 2D and 3D finite element method （FEM） are used to calculate the stress and displacement distribution in the soft clay slope under gravity and uniform load at the slope top. Stability analyses indicate that 3D boundary effect varies with the stress level of the slope. When the slope is stable, end effect of 3D space is not remarkable. When the stability decreases, end effect occurs; when the slope is at limit state, end effect reaches maximum. The energy causing slope failure spreads preferentially along y-z section, and when the failure resistance capability reaches the limit state, the energy can extend along x-axis direction. The 3D effect of the slope under uniform load on the top is related to the ratio of load influence width to slope height, and the effect is remarkable with the decrease of the ratio.

Cam-Clay Models Using Castem 2000^©and Plaxis^©for the Study of the Slope Stability of the “Corniche Ouest” of the Dakar Peninsula (Senegal, West Africa)

The stability of the natural slopes of the “Corniche Ouest” of Dakar Capital was intensively researched by previous [1] in [2] and recent studies [3]. Soils near the surface consist of weathered lateritic cuirass, silt and marl that have been intensively altered and fractured. Below these altered layers are limestones that are interbedded with other thin volcanic layers. Prior to the 1950s the area had been less urbanized. In the 1950s demand for habitations and administrative offices led to the development of the area but, no drainage system was available. In 1984 the area began moving down slope toward the ocean. Rates of movement were the fastest several months after the end of the rainy season and the slowest during the dry season. In the next years the earthflow moved as much as some meters, but in the processes the expensive homes and administrative buildings built became uninhabitable. Movement was caused by a combination of wave erosion along the coast removing some the mass resisting flow, added water due to the disposal of wastes, watering of lawns, and rainfall causing the clays to expand and weaken, and by the added weight of development on top of the flow. The first investigations, due to a lack of geotechnical information describe a stable area even though it was observed cracks and failure in habitations. The main results obtained were specially obtained by analytical techniques of slices. It is well known that the mechanical response of a solid mass of soil depends primarily on the laws of behavior which were affected to him. The Cam-Clay model is used with two comparative numerical codes such as Castem 2000?, a non commercial code and Plaxis 7.2? so as to compare the mechanical response of the slopes. The models of Cambridge are founded as simple theory and use only some soil mechanical parameters easy to determine. The results are founded highly different from a code to another, but they attest all that the system described is non stable. Otherwise, this study has shown that Castem 2000? gives no realistic outputs as well as the soil behavior laws varies from a simple MohrCoulomb law to the softening or hardening complex laws.

Factor of safety of strain-softening slopes

Stability analysis of strain-softening slopes is carried out using the shear strength reduction method and Mohr-Coulomb model with degrading cohesion and friction angle.The e ffect of strain-softening behavior on the slope factor of safety is investigated by performing a series of analyses for various slope geometries and strength properties.Stability charts and equations are developed to estimate the factor of safety of strain-softe ning slopes from the results of traditional stability analysis based on perfectly-plastic behavior.Two example applications including an open pit mine in weak rock and clay shale slope with daylighting bedding planes are presented.The results of limit equilibrium analysis and shear strength reduction method with perfectly-plastic models were in close agreement.Using perfectly-plastic models with peak strength properties led to overly optimistic results while adopting residual strength properties gave excessively conservative outcomes.The shear strength reduction method with a strain-softening model gave realistic factors of safety while accounting for the process of strength degradation.

Numerical analysis of downward progressive landslides in long natural slopes with sensitive clay

Landslides occurring in sensitive clay often result in widespread destruction,posing a significant risk to human lives and property due to the substantial decrease in undrained shear strength during deformation.Assessing the consequences of these landslides is challenging and necessitates robust numerical methods to comprehensively investigate their failure mechanisms.While studies have extensively explored upward progressive landslides in sensitive clays,understanding downward progressive cases remains limited.In this study,we utilised the nodal integration-based particle finite element method(NPFEM)with a nonlinear strain-softening model to analyse downward progressive landslides in sensitive clay on elongated slopes,induced by surcharge loads near the crest.We focused on elucidating the underlying failure mechanisms and evaluating the effects of different soil parameters and strainsoftening characteristics.The simulation results revealed the typical pattern for downward landslides,which typically start with a localised failure in proximity to the surcharge loads,followed by a combination of different types of failure mechanisms,including single flow slides,translational progressive landslides,progressive flow slides,and spread failures.Additionally,inclined shear bands occur within spread failures,often adopting distinctive ploughing patterns characterised by triangular shapes.The sensitive clay thickness at the base,the clay strength gradient,the sensitivity,and the softening rate significantly influence the failure mechanisms and the extent of diffused displacement.Remarkably,some of these effects mirror those observed in upward progressive landslides,underscoring the interconnectedness of these phenomena.This study contributes valuable insights into the complex dynamics of sensitive clay landslides,shedding light on the intricate interplay of factors governing their behaviour and progression.

Analysis of a Failed Port Slope and Stabilization

A nonmetal transportation port with soft soil foundation of Tianjin New Harbor failed during construction in 1997. The soil properties and geological changes before and after landslide were in- vestigated by in situ test means. The stability of the slope was estimated with several calculation methods, such as the simplified Bishop method and the non-circle analysis method. According to the investigation and analysis results, the factors that may cause the slope failure can be deter- mined as follows: excessive excavating, violating the normal construction procedure, excessive pore water pressure during earlier piling and sudden water-level fluctuation in front of the slope. Measures to improve the soil foundation for reconstructing the port include strengthening the failed slope with vibro sand piles, filling up the crushed stone layer, dividing the excavation into four steps and driving piles by larger intervals. The port now has been successfully reconstructed and begun operation.

Predicting the friction angle of clays using a multi-layer perceptron neural network enhanced by yeo-johnson transformation and coral reefs optimization

The accurate prediction of the friction angle of clays is crucial for assessing slope stability in engineering applications.This study addresses the importance of estimating the friction angle and presents the development of four soft computing models:YJ-FPA-MLPnet,YJ-CRO-MLPnet,YJ-ACOC-MLPnet,and YJCSA-MLPnet.First of all,the Yeo-Johnson(YJ)transformation technique was used to stabilize the variance of data and make it more suitable for parametric statistical models that assume normality and equal variances.This technique is expected to improve the accuracy of friction angle prediction models.The friction angle prediction models then utilized multi-layer perceptron neural networks(MLPnet)and metaheuristic optimization algorithms to further enhance performance,including flower pollination algorithm(FPA),coral reefs optimization(CRO),ant colony optimization continuous(ACOC),and cuckoo search algorithm(CSA).The prediction models without the YJ technique,i.e.FPA-MLPnet,CRO-MLPnet,ACOC-MLPnet,and CSA-MLPnet,were then compared to those with the YJ technique,i.e.YJ-FPA-MLPnet,YJ-CRO-MLPnet,YJ-ACOC-MLPnet,and YJ-CSA-MLPnet.Among these,the YJ-CRO-MLPnet model demonstrated superior reliability,achieving an accuracy of up to 83%in predicting the friction angle of clay in practical engineering scenarios.This improvement is significant,as it represents an increase from 1.3%to approximately 20%compared to the models that did not utilize the YJ transformation technique.

Reliability analysis of excavated slopes in undrained clay

A novel approach based on the upper bound theory is proposed to assess the stability of excavated slopes with spatially variable clay in undrained conditions.The proposed random limit analysis is a combination of the deterministic slope stability limit analysis together with random field theory and Monte Carlo simulation.A series of analyses is conducted to verify the potential application of the proposed method and to investigate the effects of the soil undrained shear strength gradient and the spatial correlation length on slope stability.Three groups of potential sliding surfaces are identified and the occurrence probability of each sort of failure mechanism is quantified for various slope ratios.The proposed method is found to be feasible for evaluating slope reliability.The obtained results are helpful in understanding the slope failure mechanism from a quantitative point of view.The paper could provide guidance for slope targeted local reinforcement.

Relationship between Landslides, Geologic Structures, and Hydrothermal Alteration Zones in the Ohekisawa-Shikerebembetsugawa Landslide Area, Hokkaido, Japan

This paper elucidates the relationship between landslides, geologic structures, and hydrothermal alteration zones based primarily on X-ray powder diffraction and uniaxial compressive strength tests on weakly weathered and hydrothermally altered rocks from the Ohekisawa-Shikerebembetsugawa landslide area in Teshikaga Town, Hokkaido, Japan. The OHS （Ohekisawa slide） occurred on a dip slope of sedimentary rocks from the Upper Miocene Shikerepe Formation within a homocline, and also on weathered and hydrothermally altered rocks within the boundary area between the hydrothermal smectite zone and smectite-bearing mordenite zone. The SHS （Shikerebembetsugawa slide） occurred on a dip slope of sedimentary rocks from the Upper Miocene Hanakushibe Formation within wavy folds and was also controlled by a cap rock of Teshikaga Volcano Somma Lava. The SHS occurred also on weathered and hydrothermally altered rocks within the boundary area between the hydrothermal smectite zone and smectite-bearing laumontite zone. The mechanical properties of smectite, smectite-bearing mordenite, and smectite-bearing laumontite zone weakly weathered rocks indicate that they are very weak, soft rocks. These landslides are regarded as HAZLs （hydrothermal alteration zone landslides）. The hydrothermal alteration yielding smectite is thus closely related to these two ancient landslides, suggesting that the potential for HAZLs within a hydrothermal area can be assessed based on the swelling clay mineral-beating hydrothermal alteration types, dip slope, and cap rock.