• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.16 no.2 s.48
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• pp.135-143
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• 2006

This study presents the results of a series of laboratory scale slope failure experiments aimed at clarifying the process and the condition leading to the initiation of rainfall-induced slope failures. For the evaluation of hydrologic response of the model slopes in relation the process of failure initiation, measurements were focused on the changes in volumetric water content during the initiation process. The process leading to failure initiation commences by the development of a seepage face. It appears reasonable to conclude that slope failures are a consequence of the instability of seepage area formed at the slope surface during rainfall period. Therefore, this demonstrates the importance of monitoring the development seepage area for useful prediction about the timing of a particular failure event. The hydrologic response of soil slopes leading to failure initiation is characterized by three phases (phase I, II and III) of significant increase in volumetric water content in association with the ingress of wetting front and the rise of groundwater level within the slope. The period of phase III increase in volumetric water content can be used to initiate advance warning towards a failure initiation event. Therefore, for the concept outlined above, direct and continuous monitoring of the change in volumetric water content is likely to provide the possibility for the development of a reliable and effective means of predicting the occurrence of rainfall-induced slope failures.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.243-255
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• 2010

The slope design of an open-pit mine must consider economical efficiency and stability. Thus, the overall slope angle is the principal factor because of limited support or reinforcement options available in such a setting. In this study, slope displacement, as monitored by a GPS system, was analyzed for a coal mine at Pasir, Indonesia. Predictions of failure time by inverse velocity analysis showed good agreement with field observations. Therefore, the failure time of an unstable slope can be roughly estimated prior to failure. A GIS model that combines fuzzy theory and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was developed to assess slope instability in open-pit coal mines. This model simultaneously considers seven factors that influence the instability of open-pit slopes (i.e., overall slope gradient, slope height, surface flows, excavation plan, tension cracks, faults, and water body). Application of the proposed method to an open-pit coal mine revealed an enhanced prediction accuracy of failure time and failure site compared with existing methods.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.165-175
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• 2006

To analyze the deformation and failure of slopes, generally, two types of model, Polynomial model and Growth model, are applied. These two models are focused on the behavior of the slope by time. Therefore, this research is more focused on predicting of slope failure than analyzing the slope behavior by time. Generally, Growth model is used to analyze the soil slope, to the contrary, Polynomial model is used for rock slope. However, 3-degree polynomial($y=ax^3+bx^2+cx+d$) is suggested to combine two models in this research. The main trait of this model is having an asymptote. The fields to adopt this model are Gosujae Danyang(soil slope) and Youngduk slope(rock slope), which are the cut-slope near national road. Data from Gosujae are shown the failure traits of soil slope, to the contrary, those of Youngduk slope are shown the traits of rock slope. From the real-time monitoring data of the slope, 3-degree polynomial is proved as excellent system to analyze the failure and behavior of slope. In case of Polynomial model, even if the order of polynomials is increased, the $R^2$ value and shape of the curve-fitted graph is almost the same.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.137-146
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• 2005

299 railroad slopes were investigated and the failure characteristics and reinforcement patterns were analyzed. Stability analyses on the 14 cut-off soil slopes were carried out. Surficial failures were predicted by infinite slope analyses assuming the temporarily perched ground water table at soil surface during rainfall period. Limit equilibrium analyses were also carried out and the influences of rainfall infiltration on the slope stabilities were taken Into account by seepage analyses using finite element method and by assuming ground water tables to be located adjacent to soil surface. The adequacy of those analyses was evaluated by comparing the slope failure characteristics between analysis results and the past failure records. From the comparison results, it was deduced that the limit equilibrium analyses were not appropriate to estimate the shallow failure that occurred at most of the railroad cut-off soil slopes. For the better estimation of the surficial failure, not only the increase of pore-water pressure (reduction of matric suction), but also the influence of water flows over slope surface which erode soil mass, should be evaluated and considered.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.5-11
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• 2008

Seepage induced earthern slope failures occurs in concert with meteorological events when large quantities of groundwater are channeled into slopes through infiltration. The presence of flowing groundwater in earthern slopes can induce ground failures that result in significant property damage and potential loss of life. Seepage induced earthen slope failures represent a serious problem in geotechnical engineering. This research applies existing fluid-solid numerical modeling capabilities to the study and prediction of seepage induced earthen slope failures. Study of the targeted application holds potential for much needed advances in geotechnical engineering analysis technology which could be used to design more effective engineering slope stabilization interventions.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.14 no.6 s.53
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• pp.391-398
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• 2004

An algebraic algorithm for predicting the joint trace distribution on the cut-face of rock slope based on the orientations and the locations of joints investigated in the borehole has been developed. Joint trace prediction is manipulated by utilizing the three dimensional plane equations of both joint planes and projection face, and the extent of trace within the projection area is calculated by considering the persistence of each joint plane. Joint trace prediction method is efficiently applied for analyzing the stability and the adequacy of support design of Gimhae Naesam cut-slope, which is structurally unstable due to slumping. Structural characteristics of rock mass is investigated by performing DOM drilling and the potential rock mass sliding inside slope face is analyzed by examining the orientations of joint planes which can induce the slope failure. Also, the efficiency of anchor support design is evaluated by considering the joint trace distribution on the anchor installation area and its sliding potential.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.117-127
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• 2002

A deterministic approach of slope stability, which is generally corresponding to the model of a simple non-linear function for slopes, is problematic in that it does not account the versatile characteristics of ground layers in an effective way. To resolve this problem, this study proposes a new way of analyzing slope stability, so-called “genetic algorithm method, ” so as to reflect some particular conditions pertaining to the grounds under concern. Similarities and differences in slope stability that may exist between homogeneous and multiple ground layers are examined in a competitive manner, Overall, though similarities deemed a little bit salient, the algorithm method turned out to be very applicable to estimating the validity of slope stability. Furthermore, an additional effort to consider long-standing sequential and dynamic changes in both the amount of rainfall and the underground water level is made in order to improve the results.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.6C
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• pp.219-229
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• 2010

Slope failure in South Korea generally occurs by the localized heavy rain in a rainy season and typhoon, and it annually causes huge losses of both life and property because nearly 70% of territory in South Korea is covered with mountains. It is required to measure the risk of slope failure quantitatively before proper prevention methods are provided. However, there is no way to estimate the risk based on realtime rainfall, geological characteristics, and geotechnical engineering properties. This study presents the development of digital terrion model to predict slope stability using infinite slope stability theory combined with temporal groundwater change. Case studies were performed to investigate factors to affect slope stability in Japan.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1999.03a
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• pp.331-338
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• 1999

In the present study, a searching technique for critical slip surface in two dimensional slope stability analysis is proposed. The failure surface generation and analysis has been usually limited to simple geometric shapes. However, more random surfaces need to be examined for some particular ground conditions. For this purpose, random searching technique is developed using genetic algorithm. The generalized limit equilibrium method is employed as the method of stability analysis. Using this technique, the factor of safety is compared with the result by using simplified Bishop's method. In addition, the convergent trend of fitness value is analyzed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.535-541
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• 2011

A debris flow is caused by torrential rain in mountainous regions and carries mixture of fragmental matter from slope failure, deposit soils from a valley floor and a large amount of water. It seriously damages facilities, houses, and human lives in its path. We tried to apply debris flow behavior estimation model developed in foreign country to domestic case. The study area is Inje-county, Gangwon-do and aerial photos and GPS surveying were used to collect information of starting and end point of the landslide and debris flow. The analysis showed that L/H for forecasting the travel distances of debris flows has the mean of 4.93 and standard deviation of 0.98. This model tended to overestimate the scale and extent of debris flows. In Inje-county's case, a debris flow is caused by multiple simultaneous small-scale landslide. This is quite different from the foreign cases in which a large-scale landslide cause a large-scale debris flow. Thus, an empirical model suitable for domestic conditions needs to be developed.