Understanding Landslides through Case Studies

Slope instability is a major problem in many parts of the world. It has affected both the safety of people and that of constructions such as buildings, roads and dams. In order to prevent, assess consequences of or mitigate landslides, a good understanding of the phenomenon is vital. This reference book gives a full and well-illustrated treatment of the mechanisms leading to slope movements and landslides. Composed of two parts, both theoretical and practical aspects are discussed; the first part describes soil behaviour and properties in the context of slopes, the processes involved in slope formation and how some factors influence slope movements and stability. The second part consists of about 30 well-documented case histories from many parts of the world that were carefully selected and written by experts to demonstrate the most common processes of deformation and failure. This book is unique in that it treats the mechanical processes involved. Intended for researchers, practitioners and graduate students working on soil engineering and geohazards but also makes attractive reading for a broader audience of civil engineers and geologists.

Table of Contents:
Introduction; I From soil mechanics to slope mechanics: 1. Slope formation in a geotechnical perspective; 2. Geotechnical characterisation of slope movements; 3. Behaviour and properties of soils in the context of slopes; 4. Causes and mechanisms of slope movements; II Case studies: 5. Hydro-mechanical pre-failure processes; 6. First-time slides; 7. Active and reactivated slides; 8. Flow-like landslides in cohesive soils; 9. Flow-like landslides in cohesionless soils; 10. Lateral spreads; References

About the Author :
Serge Leroueil is a professor in the Civil Engineering Department of Université Laval, Quebec, Canada and an expert on landslide mechanisms. His research interests include soil behaviour, soil viscosity, soil compaction, soft sediments, in-situ testing, embankments on soft clays and cuts and natural slopes. Serge gave the Rankine Lecture upon the invitation of the British Geotechnical Society and is a Fellow of the Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada; he has moreover been awarded several prestigious prices. Luciano Picarelli is a professor in the Civil Engineering Department of the Seconda Università di Napoli, Director of the Research Center in Environmental Engineering, C.I.R.I.AM. Luciano’s research interests focus on soil mechanics, soil deterioration, soil-structure interaction, geotechnical issues in road construction, tunnelling in clay, cut and slope stability and landslide risk mitigation. He is member of the Scientific Committee and Scientific Consultant for the Hydrogeologic Risk Area in the Competence Center A.M.R.A. (Analysis and Monitoring of Environmental Risks) in Naples.