A numerical investigation of the influence of hydraulic parameters on the stability of a residual soil slope

Abstract

The residual tropical soils and their unsaturated condition add more complexity to the study of slope stability, introducing the suction variable to the stress state analysis. Due to the complexity of the pedological processes involved in their formation, tropical soils present variability in their parameters. This results in uncertainties regarding its behaviour in geotechnical structures. The most common promotion agent for deformation and loss of strength in residual soils in an unsaturated condition is the advancing of the wetting front due to rainfalls. A tropical climate with high levels of rainfall makes landslides a constant and dangerous phenomenon, leading to loss of human life and material. Thus, it is essential to verify the influence of precipitation on slope behaviour in residual conditions. This study analyzes the behaviour of a slope formed by a residual soil by determining the soil properties followed by a numerical analysis. Laboratory tests were performed to characterize the soil and determine the strength, hydraulic, and unsaturated condition parameters. In the numerical analysis, it was intended to visualize the influence of rainfall and hydraulic parameters on the pore pressure distribution inside the slope and in its stability. After the numerical step, it was found that the different rainfall characteristics (intensity and duration) increased the pore pressures and decreased the strength of the material. However, it was insufficient to trigger any failure mechanisms. The hydraulic parameters’ critical roles at seepage through the soil and how this is reflected in the calculations of safety factors were verified.