Human Activities & Strategies to Modify Slopes

How do excavations impact slope stability?

Excavations cut into a slope, leaving loose material that makes the slope too steep to be stable, making it prone to failure.

What effect does excavation at the toe of a slope have?

Excavating at the toe of a slope removes the supporting section, weakening the slope and increasing the risk of failure.

What are waste heaps and how do they impact stability?

Waste heaps are highly porous mounds of waste material from quarrying and mining that create new, unstable steep slopes prone to slips, especially after rainfall.

How does loading affect slope stability?

Loading, such as through the addition of buildings or other mass, increases the likelihood of a slip by adding weight to the slope.

How does water affect slope stability?

Disturbed drainage routes from buildings can lead to excess water in the soil, increasing mass and reducing stability, and saturated soils may experience liquefaction during earthquakes.

How does vegetation removal impact slope stability?

Deforestation removes roots that bind soil together, leading to increased surface runoff, erosion, and compromised slope stability.

What impact do traffic vibrations have on slopes?

Traffic vibrations can trigger mass movements by destabilizing the slope.

How does footpath trampling affect slopes?

Footpath trampling can intensify localized erosion, destabilizing the area.

How does construction on slopes affect stability?

Construction on slopes often uses the cut-and-fill technique, which can create unstable conditions by removing support from certain areas.

How does vegetation removal affect erosion processes?

Removal of vegetation increases erosion by creating water channels and rills, and by deteriorating soil structure through activities like overgrazing.

What is the process of pinning in slope stabilization?

Pinning involves using rock bolts, dowel bars, and ground anchors to hold loose rock into stable rock below, providing additional support.

How does netting help in stabilizing slopes?

Netting involves attaching metal mesh to the slope surface to prevent loose rocks from falling onto roads or railways below.

What is grading in slope stabilization?

Grading is the process of reducing the slope angle through excavation to decrease the risk of movement, although it can be costly due to the need to transport material away.

How does afforestation modify slopes?

Afforestation adds vegetation that increases interception, reducing surface runoff and erosion, while roots help hold the soil together and reduce slope mass.

What are gabions and how do they stabilize slopes?

Gabions are metal mesh boxes filled with material that stabilize the toe of a landslip, preventing further movement.

How does drainage modify slopes?

Drainage involves digging trenches filled with permeable aggregate to quickly remove excess water from the slope, reducing mass and lubricating effects.

What is grouting in slope stabilization?

Grouting involves injecting permeable rocks with cement to increase their strength and reduce their pore water capacity, enhancing slope stability.

What is shotcrete and how is it used in slope stabilization?

Shotcrete involves spraying loose surfaces with concrete to prevent loose rocks from falling, stabilizing the slope.