Abstract
This study employs a diverse set of variables to explain slope stabilization on stable versus failure-prone revegetated cut-slopes in Korea. A field survey was conducted at potential unstable sites and stable sites using 23 variables. Through a non-parametric test of the field survey results, 15 variables were identified as primary determinants of slope failure. Of these variables, one described physical characteristics (elapsed year); four variables described vegetation properties (plant community, vegetation coverage rate, number of trees, and number of herbs); and 10 variables represented soil properties (porosity, soil hardness, water content, sand ratio and silt ratio of soil texture, tensile strength, permeability coefficient, soil depth, soil acidity, salt concentration, and organic matter). Slope angle, which was mainly considered in previous studies, of variables in physical characteristics was not statistically selected as one of the 15 variables because most of sites were located on steep slopes. The vegetation community, vegetation coverage, and number of trees influence slope stabilization. Vegetation coverage is highly correlated with other soil and vegetation variables, making it a major indicator of slope stabilization. All soil variables were related to slope failure such that subsequent slope failure was related to the method of slope revegetation rather than the environmental condition of the slope. Slope failure did not occur in revegetated slopes that matched the characteristics of the surrounding landscape and contained a large number of native trees. Most soil and vegetation variables showed differing values for whether a revegetated slope is potentially unstable or stable.
Highlights
Mountains cover approximately 70% of South Korea with the exception of low-lying plains in the western areas
The average slope angle was steeper on potential unstable slopes than on stable slopes
Most of the study sites were located on steep slopes, the risk of failure was greater on the potential unstable slopes because they were more steeply inclined than the stable slopes
Summary
Mountains cover approximately 70% of South Korea with the exception of low-lying plains in the western areas. Countries with mountainous terrain such as South Korea, Japan, China, Turkey, Italy, Spain, India, and the USA have tried various techniques and methods to stabilize a slope devastated by road development and urban construction [1]. Biotechnical stabilization employs the reciprocal mechanics of soil and biological elements—mostly plants—to prevent slope erosion and failure [3]. Such techniques have spread out across China, Japan, Spain, Italy, and the USA [4,5,6,7,8]. Revegetated slopes frequently fail due to heavy rain and drought [13]. Revegetated slopes in Korea have undergone soil erosion and failure
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