Influence of tension cracks on the stability of unsupported vertical trenches in vadose zone

Geeshpati Yanamandra, Won Taek Oh

Dans les comptes rendus d’articles de la conférence: GeoSt. John's 2019: 72nd Canadian Geotechnical Conference

Session: Unsaturated soil

ABSTRACT: Tension cracks typically occur behind the crests of slopes and cuts, which is considered to be a primary contributor to the instability of slopes and cuts. This is because tension cracks not only decrease shear resistance to slip failure but also can exert an additional lateral force when filled with water. Moreover, tension cracks act as an active pathway for rainfall to infiltrate into soil and leads to rapid increase in permeability and decrease in shear strength of soil in the vicinity of tension cracks. In the present study, the influence of tension cracks on the stability of unsupported trenches in vadose zone is investigated. For this, a series of hydro-mechanical coupled analyses was carried out considering various factors such as depth of tension crack, distance from the crest to the tension crack, and rainfall intensity.

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