Abstract
This paper describes the application of unsaturated soil mechanics to an interstate connecting-ramp embankment that failed during construction. Specifically, matric suction is incorporated into the calculation of the tension crack (TC) depth induced by desiccation and strain incompatibility and the contribution of matric suction to embankment shear strength. The results are compared with field observations to assess the viability of unsaturated soil mechanics in modeling compacted embankments in stability analyses. Results from this study suggest that using unsaturated shear strength parameters while introducing a TC in the compacted fill yields a reasonable inverse analysis of this interstate embankment. This may be preferred in slope stability analyses to the current practice of using an undrained shear strength (i.e., cohesion) for the unsaturated compacted fill and including a TC to generate a reasonable factor of safety.
Highlights
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In this case study paper, unsaturated soil mechanics principles are used to investigate the failure of a 91 m (300 ft) long section of an interstate connecting-ramp embankment (Ramp ES) between westbound Interstate-76 (I-76) to southbound Interstate 71 (I71) in Medina County, Ohio
Results from this study suggest that using unsaturated shear strength parameters while introducing a tension crack (TC) in the compacted fill yields a reasonable inverse analysis of this interstate embankment failure
Summary
In this case study paper, unsaturated soil mechanics principles are used to investigate the failure of a 91 m (300 ft) long section of an interstate connecting-ramp embankment (Ramp ES) between westbound Interstate-76 (I-76) to southbound Interstate 71 (I71) in Medina County, Ohio. By applying search increments for the entry and exit ranges at 25 553 the embankment surface and slope toe, respectively, the observed failure surface (Fig. 1) was modeled in the inverse stability analy555 sis This analysis models the compacted fill with an effective stress cohesion and friction angle of 11.0 kPa and 33°, respectively, in557 stead of an undrained shear strength of 71.8 kPa (1,500 psf). In this case, and because the TC depth essentially encompasses the full height of the embankment at the time of failure, the unsaturated shear strength did not contribute significantly to the shear resis561 tance mobilized along the failure surface. Models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request
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