Date of Graduation

1974

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

The western two-thirds of West Virginia is a significant portion of one of the major landslide areas in the United States. Landslides in soil slopes produce millions of dollars of damage to West Virginia highways annually. The research described in this dissertation was devoted to the development of criteria for recognizing potential slide areas and for analyzing soil slope designs. The results were produced through engineering practice using the equipment and methods employed by the Vlfest Virginia Department of Highways. The research was divided into four studies: slide topography; geology of slide areas as revealed in available literature; stability analyses; and estimation of strength and consolidation parameters from classification properties. The first two studies were used to develop criteria for use in predicting likely slide areas during preliminary planning and design. One hundred seventy five slides were used in the topographic and geology studies. Nearly all slides were found in gently sloping ground showing certain terrain features, especially hillside drainage channels. Most slides were located in portions of the geologic column showing an abundance of red shales. The last two studies provided criteria for using test results in stability analyses. Fifty analyses using effective stress-strength parameters were performed on slopes which had failed. A simple but seemingly successful method using one dimensional consolidation theory was developed for estimating pore pressures beneath embankments. Recommendations for using strength parameters in analyses of various types of slopes are provided. Strength parameters and coefficients of consolidation were correlated with classification test results, with clay content being most significant. Suggestions are given for using estimated strength and consolidation parameters. Recommendations for further research are also included.

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