Geotechnical characterization and modelling of the “Fallen Lands” phenomenon in the amazon environment
1 Civil Engineering Department, Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), Civil Engineer MSc., Brazil.
2 Geoscience Department, Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), Associate Professor D.Sc., Brazil.
3 Civil Engineering Department, Amazonas State University (UEA), Full Professor D.Sc., Brazil.
Research Article
Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Advances, 2021, 09(03), 122–132.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gjeta.2021.9.3.0168
Publication history:
Received on 15 November 2021; revised on 18 December 2021; accepted on 20 December 2021
Abstract:
In many rivers of the Amazon, mainly along the Amazon River, the phenomenon of "fallen land" occurs at the time of the rivers' ebb, causing the erosion of river banks, resulting in major social and economic problems. The influence of saturation/percolation of soil layers on the shear resistance of the affected massifs is unknown. Thus, the main objective of the characterization and geotechnical modelling of these slopes is to determine the shear strength of the affected massifs. For this purpose, deformed and undeformed samples were collected from the various layers of the soil massif in a location where the phenomenon was under development. These samples were characterized physically, chemically, and mechanically. Subsequently, the massifs were recreated in reduced scale models, observing the critical conditions in which the disaster occurred, and qualitatively comparing them with slope stability computational models. The results showed that the layers are classified as silty and sandy soils, with a small fraction of clay, and that there are three types of movements associated with the fallen soils: the fall, overturning, and rotational landslide, all actively influenced by the effects of the river's ebb, saturation/percolation, and texture.
Keywords:
Fallen Lands; Slope Stability; Percolation; Riverbank Erosion; Geotechnical Modelling
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