Citation

Larew HG. Highw. Res. Board bull. 1952; 49: 28-39.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1952, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Mathematical methods for analyzing the stability of many slopes have been available for a number of years. These methods stand ready to be proved, modified, or refuted. There is, therefore, a need for field and laboratory test data taken from actual landslides. Unfortunately, insufficient information of this nature can be found in the literature. There is an abundance of written material concerning landslides available but the bulk of this information is descriptive and is of limited value to the engineer faced with landslide problems. This paper presents field and laboratory data obtained from three actual landslides. The study was confined to a two dimensional analysis of a shear-type failure in shallow deposits of unconsolidated materials. The data were used to check the validity of the circular-arc method of slope analysis. The soil strength required for stability, as determined from this method of analysis, was compared with the strength of the soil as measured by laboratory tests. The data are insufficient to indicate definitely the range of applicability of the circular-arc method. However, when combined with similar data from previous studies the results indicate the limited applicability of this approach and point to the area where further study is needed before it can be used to obtain quantitative answers to the problem of prevention and correction of highway landslides.