Experimental study of the effect of rainfall on pore pressure regime of a slope made of unsaturated residual soil [abstract]

Abstract

Sloping grounds in Sri Lanka are made of residual soils, rocks at different levels of weathering, and colluvial soils. Groundwater levels are generally low during the dry season and high matric suctions would prevail at the upper levels of slope. As such, the slopes are in a stable state. With the infiltration of the rainfall, matric suction would be reduced or lost, perched water tables may develop and groundwater level would rise. This would lead to the development of landslides. The process of infiltration and loss of stability should be carefully modeled to understand this situation and take measures to reduce the risk of landslides.