Horizontal drains in residual soil slopes

V. A. Santoso*, H. Rahardjo, E. C. Leong, Y. S. Ng, C. P.H. Tam

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Horizontal drains have been used extensively for preventive and repair works of slopes. Horizontal drains have been found to be effective in lowering groundwater table to increase the stability of slopes. The ideal location of horizontal drain is at the toe of the slope in order to optimize the thickness of unsaturated zone from the horizontal drain to the ground surface. However, the ideal length of the horizontal drain has not been fully investigated, particularly for residual soil slopes. In this study, the effectiveness of different lengths of horizontal drains in sedimentary and granitic residual soils is investigated. Typical soil-water characteristic curves and permeability functions of the soils were used in performing seepage analyses of water flow through unsaturated soil slope with horizontal drains. It appears that the length of horizontal drain affects water flow through unsaturated soil slope and consequently stability of the slope under heavy rainfall conditions. Results of slope stability analyses indicate that the horizontal drain installed to the critical slip surface provides the ideal length of horizontal drains in residual soil slopes. In addition, soil properties also influence the effectiveness of horizontal drains in maintaining stability of slopes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUnsaturated Soils
Subtitle of host publicationTheoretical and Numerical Advances in Unsaturated Soil Mechanics - Proceedings of the 4th Asia Pacific Conference on Unsaturated Soils
Pages325-332
Number of pages8
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes
Event4th Asia Pacific Conference on Unsaturated Soils - Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Duration: Nov 23 2009Nov 25 2009

Publication series

NameUnsaturated Soils: Theoretical and Numerical Advances in Unsaturated Soil Mechanics - Proceedings of the 4th Asia Pacific Conference on Unsaturated Soils

Conference

Conference4th Asia Pacific Conference on Unsaturated Soils
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityNewcastle, NSW
Period11/23/0911/25/09

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Soil Science

Keywords

  • Horizontal drains
  • Residual soils
  • Slope stability

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