Assessing the Effect of Saturation Variations on the Factor of Safety of Slopes in Elgon Sub-Region.

In the challenging terrain of the Elgon sub-region, where slope stability is critical, this research project investigates the intricate relationship between saturation variation and the safety of slopes. This study combines field investigations and geotechnical analyses to unravel the impact of chan...

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Main Author: Muboki, Peterson
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Kabale University 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2651
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author Muboki, Peterson
author_facet Muboki, Peterson
author_sort Muboki, Peterson
collection KAB-DR
description In the challenging terrain of the Elgon sub-region, where slope stability is critical, this research project investigates the intricate relationship between saturation variation and the safety of slopes. This study combines field investigations and geotechnical analyses to unravel the impact of changing water content on slope behavior. I began by conducting a series of geotechnical tests. The Particle Size Distribution (PSD) analysis reveals intriguing trends; as you descend through the soil profile, gravel and sand content increase, while silty/clay content decreases. These variations have significant implications for slope stability. Silty/clay-rich soils dominate the region, but their fine-grained nature leads to reduced shear strength. When saturated, these soils become even more vulnerable, resulting in lower Factor of Safety (FOS) values for the slopes. The FOS, a critical parameter in slope stability assessments, exhibits a clear inverse relationship with saturation levels. As water content rises, the FOS decreases. This underscores the importance of considering saturation variations when evaluating slope stability. The findings also emerge from direct shear tests, which highlight potential weaknesses at specific depths likely attributable to the interplay between saturation and soil properties. In conclusion, this research contributes valuable insights into geotechnical engineering practices in the Elgon sub-region. By understanding how saturation affects slope stability, we can develop informed management strategies for similar geological settings. Ultimately, this study work serves as a stepping stone toward safer and more resilient slope designs in challenging landscapes.
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spelling oai:idr.kab.ac.ug:20.500.12493-26512024-12-31T00:02:09Z Assessing the Effect of Saturation Variations on the Factor of Safety of Slopes in Elgon Sub-Region. Muboki, Peterson Assessing Effect Saturation Variations Factor Safety Slopes Elgon Sub-Region In the challenging terrain of the Elgon sub-region, where slope stability is critical, this research project investigates the intricate relationship between saturation variation and the safety of slopes. This study combines field investigations and geotechnical analyses to unravel the impact of changing water content on slope behavior. I began by conducting a series of geotechnical tests. The Particle Size Distribution (PSD) analysis reveals intriguing trends; as you descend through the soil profile, gravel and sand content increase, while silty/clay content decreases. These variations have significant implications for slope stability. Silty/clay-rich soils dominate the region, but their fine-grained nature leads to reduced shear strength. When saturated, these soils become even more vulnerable, resulting in lower Factor of Safety (FOS) values for the slopes. The FOS, a critical parameter in slope stability assessments, exhibits a clear inverse relationship with saturation levels. As water content rises, the FOS decreases. This underscores the importance of considering saturation variations when evaluating slope stability. The findings also emerge from direct shear tests, which highlight potential weaknesses at specific depths likely attributable to the interplay between saturation and soil properties. In conclusion, this research contributes valuable insights into geotechnical engineering practices in the Elgon sub-region. By understanding how saturation affects slope stability, we can develop informed management strategies for similar geological settings. Ultimately, this study work serves as a stepping stone toward safer and more resilient slope designs in challenging landscapes. 2024-12-30T13:46:51Z 2024-12-30T13:46:51Z 2024 Thesis Muboki, Peterson (2024). Assessing the Effect of Saturation Variations on the Factor of Safety of Slopes in Elgon Sub-Region. Kabale: Kabale University. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2651 en Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ application/pdf Kabale University
spellingShingle Assessing
Effect
Saturation Variations
Factor
Safety
Slopes
Elgon Sub-Region
Muboki, Peterson
Assessing the Effect of Saturation Variations on the Factor of Safety of Slopes in Elgon Sub-Region.
title Assessing the Effect of Saturation Variations on the Factor of Safety of Slopes in Elgon Sub-Region.
title_full Assessing the Effect of Saturation Variations on the Factor of Safety of Slopes in Elgon Sub-Region.
title_fullStr Assessing the Effect of Saturation Variations on the Factor of Safety of Slopes in Elgon Sub-Region.
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the Effect of Saturation Variations on the Factor of Safety of Slopes in Elgon Sub-Region.
title_short Assessing the Effect of Saturation Variations on the Factor of Safety of Slopes in Elgon Sub-Region.
title_sort assessing the effect of saturation variations on the factor of safety of slopes in elgon sub region
topic Assessing
Effect
Saturation Variations
Factor
Safety
Slopes
Elgon Sub-Region
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2651
work_keys_str_mv AT mubokipeterson assessingtheeffectofsaturationvariationsonthefactorofsafetyofslopesinelgonsubregion