Experimental Tests of Slope Failure due to Rainfall using Physical Slope Modeling

Abstract

In order to investigate the damage due to slope failure is very important. The main aim of this study is to found experimentally the effects of slope and rainfall intensity on stability of slope. We performed number of experimental tests using our varying slope model. To understand the failure mechanism of slopes there are various methods and also some models are been prepared for testing purpose. Slope failure can be occurred due to increase in pore water pressure, weathering of soil, cracking, decomposition of clayey rock fills, intensity of rainfall, duration of rainfall. By considering all these causes analysis of slope stability is most important to protect the slopes from failures. Slope stability analysis can be static, analytical methods to evaluate the stability of hills, natural slopes, excavated slopes etc. Analysis is generally done to understand the causes of failure or factors which affect the movement of slopes etc. Model development is also one of the ways to analyse the slope failure because of some specific reason. So understanding the rainfall effect on the slopes in hilly region is the major aspect to study. Our experimental result shows that vegetation is the effective and economical way of improving stability of slope. It increases that stability of slope by 15 to 25 %.