Numerical simulation of volcanic soil slope failure under coupled freeze-thaw and rainfall infiltration effects

Abstract

Slope instability issues due to freeze-thaw action, rainfall and seismicity are common in cold regions like Hokkaido. It is essential to study the varied impacts of temperature difference and infiltration due to rainfall on soil slope stability. The main objective of this study is to find a suitable slope stability assessment method considering the effects of freeze-thaw and rainfall. An embankment slope failure study performed by previous researchers has been numerically simulated. A modelling methodology to perform freeze-thaw, seepage and limit equilibrium slope stability analysis has been adopted and followed. Crucial parameters for slope stability i.e. initial moisture content, moisture content distribution during failure were obtained from the simulation and then compared with the measurement data. The numerical results compared with the measured data provide rational satisfaction and demonstrate the applicability of the software code in order to predict the stability of slope. The numerical modelling approach used in this study is found useful in analysing the rational stability of soil slopes and to simulate the moisture content distribution of slopes subjected to freeze-thaw and rainfall infiltration.