Static liquefaction mechanisms in loose sand fill slopes

Abstract

To investigate potential triggering and failure mechanisms of loose fill slopes, two centrifuge model tests were conducted on loose sand with a contractive tendency andhigh liquefaction potential. The behaviour ofloose sand fill slopes subjected to rising groundwater or rainfall was simulated using a geotechnical centrifuge. Moreover, a three-dimensional back-analysis and parametric study were conducted to investigate the role of soil nails in preventing the triggering of static liquefaction in loose fill slopes. Contrary to the rainfall test where only excessive settlements are observed, arapid, and brittle fluidised flowslide in the slope can be identified whensubjected to rising groundwater. The fluidised flowslide is triggered by a localised drained surface failure in the form of a gully at the crest of the slope. The initial failure at the crest induces the generation of significant excess pore pressures within the slope, causing a significant reduction in effective stress andloss of shear strength due to static liquefaction. For an identical slope, numerical simulations indicate that a fluidised flowslide can be prevented by soil nailing. Soil nailing can prevent the peak shear strength of the soil from being mobilised and limits the excessive strains required to trigger static liquefaction.