Slope Stability
Natural slopes include hillsides and river banks. Man-made slopes
include cuttings and embankments for highways or railroads, earth
dams, river levees, dikes, landscaping, canals, waterways, and
excavations.
Slope failure occurs when the equilibrium of the slope is disturbed
enough to overcome the shear-strength of the soil or rock. Factors
affecting the stability of a slope are its stratigraphy, soil strength, and
seepage. An in-flow of water affects the equilibrium of the slope in
two ways. It increases shear forces by adding mass and it decreases
shear strength by raising pore-water pressure.
Measurements of pore-water pressure can be used to predict slope
failure and can assist the design of retention and drainage systems.
Plane Failure Plane failures tend to occur in layered soils or rock where one layer
is weaker than the others. A simple stress diagram shows a soil
block of weight W that exerts a normal force N and tangential force
T on the shear plane. If the tangential force T of the block exceeds
shear strength
t
of the soil, the block will move. Ground water in-
creases the chances of failure: it adds mass to the block and it de-
creases shear strength.
When soils are un-saturated, a basic analysis can be carried out us-
ing total stress. When soil is saturated, a more accurate analysis is
obtained using effective stress.
Basic Soil Mechanics
Rembco Geotechnical Contractors specializes in
slope stabilization,
soil nail wall,
foundation repair
and support,
grouting,
shoring,
micropile
construction,
rock drilling, and we remediate
sinkholes. We use a
problem-solving approach in the geotechnical portions of buildings, bridges, water plants, sewage plants, tunnels,
installing caisson bottom, and roads. We are experienced in these applications:
micro piles,
sinkhole repair,
permeation and
pressure
grouting,
soil nails,
cement grouting,
chemical grouting,
micropiles,
compaction grouting, and
rock anchors.
Rembco techniques apply when adding new structures: especially
rock anchor,
microfine cement,
soil nailing, and
micropile
installations for foundation support. Our specialties are
soil nails,
rock anchor,
chemical and
compaction grouting,
mini piles,
sinkhole repair,
micropiles, and
soil nailing.
