Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility analysis of deformed kaolinite: implications for evaluating landslides

Abstract

Plane strain tests were performed on seven kaolinite blocks, each of which developed shear bands. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis of the kaolinite reveals a threshold degree of magnetic anisotropy (P′) exceeding which shear bands develop. Since P′ is a strain-intensity gauge and soils are known to develop shear bands prior to landsliding, it is concluded that soil in every landslide-prone region must have its unique threshold P′ exceeding which it develops shear bands before failing. Therefore, AMS monitoring of soil in landslide prone regions is proposed as a potential tool in the management of natural hazard zones.