Hysteresis in Soil Water Characteristic Curve of Unsaturated Soil and its Influence on Slope Stability

T. Mavara, R. Bashir

In the proceedings of: GeoEdmonton 2018: 71st Canadian Geotechnical Conference; 13th joint with IAH-CNC

Session: Landslides and Geohazards III

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a numerical modelling exercise that investigates the effect of hysteresis of the soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) on an unsaturated slope. Multi-year climate data is applied as a soil-atmosphere boundary condition on a two-dimensional finite element unsaturated slope model. The results obtained for hysteretic and non-hysteretic simulations are analyzed in terms of water balance at ground surface and temporal storage. Detailed slope stability analysis is performed considering the porewater pressures that are obtained from the hysteretic and non-hysteretic simulations. The research will contribute to existing literature and provide a better understanding of the impact of hysteresis in the SWCC on slope stability under an atmospheric boundary condition.

RÉSUMÉ: Cet article présente un exercice de modélisation numérique qui étudie l'effet de l'hystérésis de la courbe caractéristique de l'eau du sol (SWCC) sur une pente non saturée. Les données climatiques pluriannuelles sont appliquées en tant que condition aux limites sol-atmosphère sur un modèle de pente insaturée à éléments finis à deux dimensions. Les résultats obtenus pour les simulations hystérétiques et non-hystérétiques sont analysés en termes de bilan hydrique à la surface du sol et de stockage temporel. Une analyse détaillée de la stabilité des pentes est réalisée en considérant les pressions d'eau interstitielle obtenues à partir des simulations hystérétiques et non-hystérétiques. La recherche contribuera à la littérature existante et fournira une meilleure compréhension de l'impact de l'hystérésis dans le SWCC sur la stabilité de la pente dans une condition aux limites atmosphériques.

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Cite this article:
T. Mavara; R. Bashir (2018) Hysteresis in Soil Water Characteristic Curve of Unsaturated Soil and its Influence on Slope Stability in GEO2018. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{geo2018Paper331,author = T. Mavara; R. Bashir,title = Hysteresis in Soil Water Characteristic Curve of Unsaturated Soil and its Influence on Slope Stability ,year = 2018}