Herman Peiffer

By Herman Peiffer

In this chapter, the origin and remediation of an important sliding in the overconsolidated Boom Clay in Kruibeke (Belgium) is discussed. Local and environmental factors caused an unstable slope about 30 m deep, A larger sensitivity to erosion resulted finally in the instability of the slope. Because of the formation of fine cracks in the soil there was a possibility for the water to penetrate in the clay close to the surface, resulting in the presence of higher water pressures. Also, the presence of the excavator on top of the slope during exploitation had an important impact on the stress state of the soil. Both an analytical and numerical approach were used to estimate the factor of safety. Because of the change of the soil characteristics, the factor of safety decreases, which can be estimated through a numerical analysis (using the Strength Reduction Method). This chapter also discussed the applied techniques for the remediation using numerical analysis. Also, the importance of the field test is discussed. An integrated approach, using numerical analysis and field tests in combination, is capable of predicting the instability. This approach can also be used to evaluate the stability of the slope after remediation.

Part of the book: Landslides

By Wenjing Tian, Herman Peiffer, Benny Malengier, Gang Liu and Qingchao Cheng

For insights into rainfall infiltration on soil slopes and coupled transmission mechanisms, two-phase flow and finite element analysis were employed to examine water and air movement during the Shuping landslide. The results indicated a division of the landslide surface into two zones: an upper inflow area and a lower overflow area, driven by contrasting inflow and outflow directions. The total water and air flux remained stable, minimally affected by external factors such as rainfall attributes, surface runoff, and air temperature variations. In the inflow area of the slope surface, when rainfall intensity was greater than the total rate of the infiltration of water and air, the magnitude of infiltration equalled to the total rate infiltration of water and air, and runoff generation occurred in this area. Conversely, when infiltration matched rainfall intensity, runoff was absent in this area. In addition, water pressure in the saturated area of the slope surface can be transferred to the groundwater of the slope by pore air pressure, which could also increase the pressure head of the groundwater, and this was also detrimental to slope stability. Regarding uniform rainfall, it significantly reduces the safety factor, potentially making it the most hazardous pattern for slope failure.

Part of the book: Current Perspectives on Applied Geomorphology