Search results for "pore water"
showing 10 items of 28 documents
Modeling Round Robin Test: An Uncoupled Approach
2014
Abstract The solution of the modeling test presented in the paper is based on an uncoupled hydro-mechanical approach. Firstly, the controlled infiltration process is modeled by a finite element transient groundwater seepage software. Afterwards, calculated pore water pressures at successive instants are used for the slope stability analysis. Time evolution of the slope stability is analysed by using the infinite slope model, according to the classical limit equilibrium method.
Physically-based and distributed approach to analyze rainfall-triggered landslides at watershed scale
2011
Abstract Landslides are a serious threat to life and property throughout the world. The causes of landslides are various since multiple dynamic processes are involved in driving slope failures. One of these causes is prolonged rainfall, which affects slope stability in different ways. Water infiltrating in a hillslope may cause a rise of the piezometric surface, which, in turn, involves an increase of the pore water pressure and a decrease of the soil shear resistance. For this reason, knowledge of spatio-temporal dynamics of soil water content, infiltration processes and groundwater dynamics, is of considerable importance in the understanding and prediction of landslides dynamics. In this …
Changes in Pore Water Quality After Peatland Restoration: Assessment of a Large-Scale, Replicated Before-After-Control-Impact Study in Finland
2017
Drainage is known to affect peatland natural hydrology and water quality, but peatland restoration is considered to ameliorate peatland degradation. Using a replicated BACIPS (Before-After-Control-Impact Paired Series) design, we investigated 24 peatlands, all drained for forestry and subsequently restored, and 19 pristine control boreal peatlands with high temporal and spatial resolution data on hydroclimate and pore water quality. In drained conditions, total nitrogen (Ntot), total phosphorus (Ptot), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in pore water were several-fold higher than observed at pristine control sites, highlighting the impacts of long-term drainage on pore water quality. In gen…
The effects of long-term drainage and subsequent restoration on water table level and pore water chemistry in boreal peatlands
2014
Summary Degradation by drainage threatens biodiversity and globally important peatland ecosystem functions such as long-term carbon sequestration in peat. Restoration aims at safeguarding peatland values by recovering natural hydrology. Long-term effects of drainage and subsequent restoration, especially related to within-site variation of water table level and pore water chemistry, are poorly known. We studied hydrological variation at 38 boreal Sphagnum peatland sites (pristine, drained and restored) in Finland. The average water table level was significantly lower at Drained than Pristine sites especially near the ditches. We also observed large pore water chemical differences between Dr…
Fabric evolution and the related swelling behaviour of a sand/bentonite mixture upon hydro-chemo-mechanical loadings
2015
This experimental study investigates the swelling behaviour of an 80/20 sand/bentonite mixture and the associated fabric evolution under different hydro-chemo-mechanical loadings. Free and confined swelling tests are performed on specimens compacted to different dry densities and wetted with different pore fluids. Controlled suction confined swelling tests are performed to determine the suction–swelling pressure relationship for two different densities. An extensive microstructural characterisation is performed to relate the observed swelling behaviour to the evolution of the different pore networks during wetting. Based on the microstructural analysis, an expression is proposed to determi…
An experimental and constitutive investigation on the chemo-mechanical behaviour of a clay
2013
Engineering issues for which the understanding of the chemo-mechanical behaviour of soils is relevant include wellbore stability problems, the salinification of groundwater, and nuclear waste storage. However, despite the vast number of situations in which couplings between chemistry and mechanics occur, the available constitutive models rely on limited experimental evidence. This paper presents the results of an experimental programme on the chemo-mechanical behaviour of a non-swelling illite. The osmotic suction is controlled through the ion concentration of sodium chloride in the pore water. Stress paths include mechanical loading at a constant osmotic suction, and an increasing osmotic …
Displacement Evolution of a Large Landslide in a Highly Fissured Clay
2019
The paper presents an analysis and modelling of the reactivation mechanism of a large landslide caused by rainfall, located in Cerda (Sicily, Italy). The study is based on data collected by means of a field investigation, carried out in order to assess the geotechnical properties of the involved material, and a three-year monitoring programme implemented to measure rain and pore water pressures as well as deep and superficial displacements. Three distinct landslides, evolving at variable rates in different directions, were recognized within the overall landslide area. The data clearly show the mechanical role of pore water pressures in the stability of the slope and point out the dependence…
A Landslide in Overconsolidated Clays that Has Involved an Important Road of Access to an Internal Mountain Town
2019
The paper presents a case study on the interference of a landslide in overcosolidated clays, triggered in autumn 2004 - winter 2005 by high pore water pressures, on the usability of an important provincial road of an internal town. In the period of 2004–2019 the landslide suffered several mobilisations that led to temporary closures of the road and continuous interventions on the roadway for its use, that caused significant inconvenience for the population and damage to the commercial, sanitary, touristic, agricultural and other activities. In 2018 a study has allowed to identify the kinematic characters of the landslide and the depth of the sliding surface. The study has confirmed that the…
1D Compression Behaviour of Opalinus Clay
2017
One of the main concerns related to tunnel excavations, drilling operations and wellbore stability in shales is the generation of excess pore water pressure due to changes in mechanical stress; therefore the consolidation of shales is a fundamental process that must be considered. This paper presents a compre- hensive methodology for analysing the compression and consolidation behaviour of shales. An apparatus to perform high-pressure oedometric tests is presented and an analytical method is introduced to analyse the shale consolidation behaviour, which allows information to be gathered on the coeffi cient of consolidation, stiffness, poroelastic properties, and permeability of the tested m…
The stabilization of a slope-viaduct system without closing traffic
2015
ABSTRACT A case history concerned with the stabilisation of a slope-viaduct system is reported. The two-carriageway viaduct was built 39 years ago on a rather gentle slope that did not show any sign of instability. In 2010 a landslide took place and damaged the viaduct. As the relocation of the motorway was deemed unpracticable, the alternative solution of stabilising the slope and repairing the viaduct was chosen. The owner asked to design remedial measures that did not require the closure of the viaduct. This was possible since the movements of the slided mass were slow and regular. The slope-viaduct system was stabilised by improving, firstly, the bearing conditions of the decks, then st…