The Influence Of Permeability On The Stability Of Embankments Experiencing Seasonal Cyclic Pore Water Pressure Changes.
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Published:2004
V.P. Nyambayo, D.M. Potts, T.I. Addenbrooke, 2004. "The Influence Of Permeability On The Stability Of Embankments Experiencing Seasonal Cyclic Pore Water Pressure Changes.", Advances in geotechnical engineering: The Skempton conference: Proceedings of a three day conference on advances in geotechnical engineering, organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers and held at the Royal Geographical Society, London, UK, on 29–31 March 2004
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The majority of the UK's railway embankments were constructed from stiff clay using endtipping methods. Most of the fill incorporated granular inclusions of varying proportions; which influences the magnitude of the mass permeability of the clay fill. The embankments experience seasonal cyclic pore water pressure changes in response to the alternating wet winters and dry summers, coupled with the varying water demand by vegetation.
This paper describes numerical studies carried out to investigate the influence of the mass permeability of the clay fill on the stability of a typical UK vegetated railway embankment. The studies focus on the pore water pressure changes, movements and rate of propagation of a progressive failure mechanism which occurs under various magnitudes of mass permeability.
It is shown that the magnitudes of the seasonal pore water pressure changes, movements and rate of propagation of a progressive failure mechanism increase with the magnitude of permeability. The time to collapse reduces as permeability increases. The results are believed to be of significance when assessing the long term stability of such embankments.
Introduction
Governing winter and summer pore water pressure profiles
The Embankment Model
The Influence of permeability
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
