Physical processes in the Mediterranean climates and related slope instabilities in overconsolidated clayey soils

Objective

The project aims at understanding the behaviour of slopes in overconsolidated clay deposits with respect to the occurrence of instability phenomena related to climate change, seismic events and progressive failure and the provision of design guidance for geotechnical engineers to be used in the prevention and control of slope instabilities and for land rehabilitation.

The project includes field and laboratory experiments, theoretical and numerical analyses focussed on the following topics:
- Constitutive modelling of overconsolidated clays both in saturated and partially saturated conditions.
- Groundwater flow through the slope.
- Progressive failure phenomena.
- Effects of earthquake loading.
Solutions useful to engineering analyses of slope stability will be produced through numerical modelling. A test site in Italy will be selected to compare the modelling results with the response of a prototype slope, taking into account climatic, geological and hydrogeological factors.

Programme(s)

• FP2-EPOCH - Two specific research and technological development programmes (EEC) in the field of the environment STEP/EPOCH - EPOCH -, 1989-1992

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Università degli Studi di Ancona

Address

Via Brecce Bianche 65
60131 Ancona
Italy

Participants (5)

Societá per la Geologia, Idrogeologia e Interventi sul Suolo Aquater SpA

Italy

Address

Via Mirabello 53
61047 San Lorenzo In Campo Pesaro

UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA

Spain

Address

S/n,jordi Girona 1-3, Modul D2, Campus Nord
08034 Barcelona

UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW

United Kingdom

Address

Rankine Building Oakfield Avenue
G12 8LT Glasgow

UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

United Kingdom

Address

Simon Building, Oxford Road
M13 9PL Manchester

UNIVERSITY OF ROME "LA SAPIENZA"

Italy

Address

18,Via A. Gramsci 53
00197 Roma