Publication Type : Journal Article
Publisher : Geotechnical Engineering, SEAGS and AGSSEA
Source : Geotechnical Engineering, SEAGS and AGSSEA, Southeast Asian Geotechnical Society, Volume 48, Number 4, p.129-137 (2017)
Keywords : Critical level, Groundwater, Groundwater flow, Groundwater fluctuation, pore pressure, Pore-water pressures, Pressure distribution, sand, Sand drain, Slope failure, Slope protection, Slope stability, Slope stabilization, Soil mechanics, Soils, Stabilization, Static loading, Triggering factors, Water
Campus : Coimbatore
School : School of Engineering
Department : Civil
Year : 2017
Abstract : Rising groundwater levels increases the pore water pressure in the soil slopes, acting as a triggering factor for landslides. By installing sand drains (horizontal or vertical) along the slope, the groundwater level can be lowered below the critical level, reducing the pore water pressure and also the probability of slope failure significantly. In this study, laboratory-scale soil slopes of varying geometry were modelled in a tank and constant inflow was provided to simulate groundwater flow. With and without loading, the critical phreatic levels for the various slopes were determined. Vertical sand drains were then installed along the slope and the tests were repeated for a fixed duration. It was found that the slopes did not fail and remained stable for a longer time period, even with increase of groundwater flow. Hence it was concluded that sand drains are a feasible slope stabilization technique even on slopes subjected to static loading.
Cite this Research Publication : Ramkrishnan R., Karthik, V., Unnithan, M. S., R. Balaji, K., M. Vinu, A., and Venugopalan, A., “Stabilization of seepage induced soil mass movements using sand drains”, Geotechnical Engineering, SEAGS and AGSSEA, vol. 48, pp. 129-137, 2017.