Abstract
Slope mass-wasting like shallow slides are mostly triggered by climate effects, such as rainfall, and soil–vegetation–atmosphere (SVA) interactions play a key role. SVA interactions are studied by a full-scale embankment with different orientations (North and South) and vegetation covers (bare and vegetated) in the framework of the prediction of climate change effects on slope stability in the Pyrenees. A clayey sand from the Llobregat river delta was used for the construction of the embankment and laboratory tests showed the importance of suction on the strength and hydraulic conductivity. Sixty sensors, which are mostly installed at the upper soil layer of the embankment, registered 122 variables at four vertical profiles and the meteorological station with a 5 min scan rate. Regarding temperature, daily temperature fluctuation at the shallow soil layer disappeared at a depth of about 0.5 m. There was great influence of orientation with much higher values at the South-facing slope (up to 55 °C at −1 cm depth) due to solar radiation. Regarding rainfall infiltration, only long duration rainfalls produced an important increase of soil moisture and pore water pressure, while short duration rainfalls did not trigger significant variations. However, these changes mostly affected the surface soil layer and decreased with depth.
Highlights
The understanding of soil–vegetation–atmosphere interactions is fundamental for the correct assessment of rainfall-induced slides and other slope mass-wasting processes [1]
All these effects will largely affect the soil–vegetation–atmosphere interactions and influence the mechanisms of slope mass-wasting in the future [7,8]
We describe the monitoring set-up and present the first monitoring results on the heat and water flow across the upper soil layer of the test embankment
Summary
The understanding of soil–vegetation–atmosphere interactions is fundamental for the correct assessment of rainfall-induced slides and other slope mass-wasting processes [1]. The fifth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [6] states that number of warm days has likely increased at the global level and that extreme precipitation events have increased in Europe since 1950. All these effects will largely affect the soil–vegetation–atmosphere interactions and influence the mechanisms of slope mass-wasting in the future [7,8]. Superficial failures in artificial slopes are a important issue at transportation embankments [10,11,12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
