• 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.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2008.11b
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• pp.789-795
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• 2008

Slope stability is affected by various factors. For safety management of slopes, monitoring systems have been widely constructed along railway lines. The representative data from the systems are variations of ground profile such like ground water level and pore water pressure etc. and direct displacement measured by ground clinometer and tension wire sensor. Slopes are mainly effected by rainfall and rainfall causes the decrease of factor of safety(FOS). Because FOS varies linearly by the variation of ground water level and pore pressure, it has a weak point that could not define the time and proper warning sign to secure the safety of the train. In this study, alternative of FOS such as reliability index and probability of failure is applied to slope stability analysis introducing the reliability concept. FOS, reliability index, probability of failure and velocity of probability of failure of the slopes by variation of ground water level are investigated for setting up the specification of safety management of slopes. By executing case study of a slope(ILLO-IMSUNGLI), it is showed to be applied to specification of safety management.