Abstract
AbstractLaboratory simulation of periglacial solifluction in two natural soils, one a sandy silt, the other a gravelly silty sand, was undertaken on a 12° slope in a thermally controlled 5 m square chamber. Soil freezing and thawing took place from the top downwards in an open hydraulic system. Frost heaving and surface downslope movements were much greater in the silt‐rich soil than in the sandy soil. In both cases, solifluction took place during the thaw period. At any given depth, porewater pressures rose rapidly immediately following soil thaw, and were generally positive for several days, though not in excess of hydrostatic pressure. Soil moisture contents following thaw exceeded the liquid limit and measured in situ undrained shear strengths were low, ranging between 0.8 kPa near the surface and 9.0 kPa at depth. Conventional slope stability analyses based on total stress and effective stress conditions indicated that the thawing slope was not susceptible to rapid failure. It was concluded that the observed soil displacements represent post‐thaw strain when soil moisture contents were high and Theological properties were intermediate between those of a viscous fluid and a plastic creeping solid.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.