Slope instability is a major problem in many parts of the world. It has affected both the safety of people and that of constructions such as buildings, roads and dams. In order to prevent, assess consequences of or mitigate landslides, a good understanding of the phenomenon is vital. This reference book gives a full and well-illustrated treatment of the mechanisms leading to slope movements and landslides. Composed of two parts, both theoretical and practical aspects are discussed; the first part describes soil behaviour and properties in the context of slopes, the processes involved in slope formation and how some factors influence slope movements and stability. The second part consists of about 30 well-documented case histories from many parts of the world that were carefully selected and written by experts to demonstrate the most common processes of deformation and failure. This book is unique in that it treats the mechanical processes involved. Intended for researchers, practitioners and graduate students working on soil engineering and geohazards but also makes attractive reading for a broader audience of civil engineers and geologists.
Understanding Landslides through Case Histories
1. Introduction
PART I: From soil mechanics to the processes leading to slope movement and failure
2. Soil behaviour and properties in the context of slopes
3. Processes of formation of natural slopes
4. Factors influencing slope stability
5. Mechanisms and causes of slope instability
PART II: Well documented case histories
6. Case histories of falls
Rock falls in the Reunion Island: Durville et al. (France)
7. Case histories of topples
Topple in France: Scavia et al. (Italy)
8. Case histories of first time slides
The St-Hilaire test excavation: Lafleur et al. (Canada)
The Maskinonge slide: Demers et al. (Canada)
The Selborne slide: Bromhead et al. (UK)
The Isle of Sheppey slides: Bromhead et al. (UK)
The Cortes de Pallas slide: Alonso et al. (Spain)
The Lavini de Marco slide : Tommasi et al. (Italy)
The Pointe du Fort submarine slide : Locat et al. (Canada)
The Santa-Barbara slides: D'Elia et al. (Italy)
Case in loess: TBD (China)
The Devon Slide: N. Morgenstern (Canada)
9. Case histories of active and reactivated slides
The Vallcebre slide: Corominas et al. (Spain)
The La Frasse slide: Bonnard et al. (Switzerland)
The Salledes test embankment on unstable slope: TBD (France)
10. Case histories of flow-like landslides
The Aberfan flowslide: Siddle & Hutchinson (UK)
The Rissa slide: Grande et al. (Norway)
The Storrega submarine landslide: Kvalstad et al. (Norway)
The Cervinara flowslide: Olivares et al. (Italy)
Debris flows in residual soils: Lacerda et al. (Brazil)
The Basento valley mudslides: Urciuoli et al. (Italy)
The Super-Sauze mudslide: Malet et al. (France)
The Slumgullion mudslide: Coe & Savage (USA)
The Mount Kaba-san slide: Ochiai et al. (Japan)
11. Case histories of spreads
The St-Liguori spread: Leroueil et al. (Canada)
The Bisaccia spread: Picarelli et al. (Italy)
12. Case histories of slope deformation
The Randa case: Eberhardt et al. (Switzerland)
The case of La Clapierre slope: Durville et al. (France)
Cases in London clay: Kovacevic et al. (UK)
References