Temporal changes of groundwater pressure in a natural slope of nonfissured clay

Abstract

This paper presents results from a field investigation in which groundwater pressures were measured in a natural slope of soft clay over a 10 year period. Measurements of piezometric levels are reported together with calculated annual changes of safety factor of the slope.Using consolidation theory, predictions were made of changes of piezometric levels for the condition of zero infiltration based on the postulate that these changes were the direct result of changes of hydraulic conditions at the ground surface. The predictions were in agreement with the field measurements.A method is suggested for estimating the most severe groundwater pressures that a clay slope can be expected to experience. Using this method, estimates were made of the minimum expected value of safety factor of the slope at the test site. Keywords: natural slope, clay, pore pressures, field measurements, stability, long-term.