Justification for slope failure paper selection

Mark Andrew Bottomley

The Wang, 1999 paper was selected for this project, as it describes a slope failure event that involves
the failure of a soil mass. The relatively recent age of the study means that the data presented should
work well with present day data analysis techniques and be in line with data collected recently, with
respect to collection techniques, accuracy and reliability. The paper allows a good control on
understanding the contributing geotechnical aspects that lead to the failure.
Further to the previous paragraph, the paper provides sufficient data to complete the analysis of the
failure and production of other models associated with the assessment. Samples from the initial failed
soil mass have been tested, providing these results;
Mean grain size, D
50
(mm) 1.35
Effective grain size, D
10
(mm) 0.183
Uniformity coefficient, U
c
10.2
Specific gravity, G
s
2.61
Field water content, (%) 15.3
Field wet unit weight,
t
(kN/m
3
) 15.0
Field dry unit weight,
d
(kN/m
3
) 13.0

These results are useful for completing factor of safety calculations and analysis of the slope stability.
Laboratory tests on collected samples have also been completed, providing extensive data on the
relationships between stresses, time and shear velocities, presented as graphs.
The paper also provides information on the geology of the area, including rock descriptions,
thicknesses and provides a cross section through them. Further to this, a map of topography is
provided allowing the construction of a geological cross section through the landslide region. Water
table depths have been recorded for parts of the failed mass, and data has been provided for rainfall
amounts and times leading up to the event. Sample and trial pits were also dug, allowing exposures of
the inside of the failed mass to be described and analysed.
There are also references to further papers, providing further information, for hydrological properties,
geology and geotechnical information. One has been referenced, as it is closely related to the main
paper.
References

Chigira, M., 2001. Micro-sheeting of granite and its relationship with landsliding specifically after the
heavy rainstorm in June 1999, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Engineering Geology, Issue 59, pp. 219-
231.
Gonghui Wang, K. S. H. F., 2003. Downslope volume enlargement of a debris slide-debris flow in the
1999 Hiroshima, Japan, rainstorm.. Engineering Geology, Volume 69, pp. 309-330. (The main paper).