This paper presents measurements of pore water pressures (positive and negative) from and old railway embankment and a more recently constructed highway embankment. The results demonstrate the existence of seasonal variations, which it is argued could adversely affect the serviceability of these earth structures. Measurements of peak pore water pressures, from a large number of embankments, made during the exceptionally wet winter of 2000 – 2001 are also presented.

  • Introduction

  • A new modular piezometer

  • Pore pressures in an old railway embankment

  • Pore pressures in a recently constructed highway embankment

  • Climate, peak pore water pressures and earthworks failures

  • Conclusions

  • Acknowledgements

  • References

This content is only available via PDF.
You do not currently have access to this chapter.
Don't already have an account? Register

Purchased this content as a guest? Enter your email address to restore access.

Please enter valid email address.
Email address must be 94 characters or fewer.