Slope Stabilization and Repair Solutions for Local Government Engineers
A study is needed to determine cost-effective methods of stabilizing slopes along Minnesota's locally maintained roads. It is important to evaluate the locally available materials and equipment, as well as stabilization methods available to local engineers. The main objective of the proposed study will be to recommend slope stabilization methods for given site conditions common along Minnesota's roadways. The proposed project will recommend simple, cost-effective methods of stabilizing at-risk slopes in Minnesota. There is currently no guide designed for local engineers to improving slopes of the scale typically seen along roadways. Therefore, slope failures, especially after heavy rain events, block roads, pose safety hazards, and introduce preventable maintenance costs. While there is no single stabilization method appropriate for all situations, several methods, including improving drainage, changing the geometry of the slope, and reinforcing the soil, have proven effective. This project will use state-of-the-art methods of slope stability analysis, including limit equilibrium methods (LEM) and finite element methods (FEM), to investigate recent slope failures in Minnesota and selected slope failures from outside the state. Each case history will be investigated, applying slope stabilization methods that are cost-effective and practical, given locally available equipment and materials. This study will produce a report detailing common causes of slope failure and methods of stabilizing slopes considering local site conditions including soil type, hydrologic conditions, slope geometry, drainage conditions, and other important factors.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $78124
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Contract Numbers:
99008 WO#190
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Sponsor Organizations:
395 John Ireland Boulevard
MS 500
Saint Paul, MN United States 55155 395 John Ireland Boulevard
MS 500
Saint Paul, MN United States 55155 -
Project Managers:
Sullivan, Dan
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Performing Organizations:
University of Minnesota, Duluth
Swenson College of Civil Engineering
1405 University Drive
Duluth, MN United States 55812 -
Principal Investigators:
Saftner, David A.
- Start Date: 20150522
- Expected Completion Date: 0
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Cost effectiveness; Drainage; Finite element method; Maintenance; Slope failure; Slope stability; Soil remediation; State of the art
- Geographic Terms: Minnesota
- Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01582731
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Minnesota Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: 99008 WO#190
- Files: RiP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Dec 3 2015 11:39AM