Contoured slope movement maps

Abstract

In several spheres of geotechnical engineering it is becoming increasingly common practice to supplement site investigation procedures with measurements of surface and subsurface ground displacements. Various graphical formats for presenting movements data are reviewed. It is suggested that by the use of automatic contouring routines the interpretation of data can be made rapidly and more efficiently and maps can be produced which may be incorporated with others which show geodynamic features. Implementation of this type of movement analysis is outlined for a landslide site in Gwent, South Wales, U. K., where a debris apron associated with a rock failure is currently moving at about 3 metres per year. Reference is also made to the use of contoured maps for correlation with spatial variations in geotechnical properties, for rheological studies of mass movements and to other possible applications.