Taludes y Laderas | Nomenclatura Geotécnica

Slopes and Hillsides | Geotechnical Nomenclature Landslides are one of the most destructive geological processes affecting human activity. Tropical mountainous areas are highly susceptible to landslide problems because four of the most important factors for their occurrence are generally present: relief, seismicity, weathering, and intense rainfall. The video presents the basic nomenclature typically used for the study of natural slopes and hillsides. The most commonly used nomenclature in geotechnics is based on the classification systems updated by Cruden and Varnes in "Special Report 247" of the United States Transportation Research Board (1996) and is the most widely used nomenclature and classification system in the world. The most universally accepted basic terms are "slope" to identify a surface with an artificially formed sloping relief, and "hillside," a land mass that is not flat but exhibits a gradient or significant changes in elevation naturally. Slopes can be grouped into three general categories: embankments, natural slope cuts, and retaining walls. Combinations of the various types of slopes and hillsides can occur. Slopes that have remained stable for many years may fail due to topographic or seismic changes, groundwater flow, changes in soil strength, weathering, or anthropogenic or natural factors that alter their natural state of stability. The following constituent elements are defined in a slope or hillside: The toe, foot, or base corresponds to the site of an abrupt change in gradient at the bottom of the slope or hillside. The shape of the foot of a slope is generally concave. The head, crest, crest, or escarpment refers to the site of abrupt change in slope at the top of the slope or hillside. When the downward slope from this point is semi-vertical or steep, it is called a "scarp." Escarpments may coincide with landslide crests. The shape of the head is generally convex. Height is the vertical distance between the foot and the head, which is clearly defined on artificial slopes, but is difficult to quantify on hillsides because the foot and head are generally not well-marked topographic features. Height of the water table is the vertical distance from the foot of the slope or hillside to the water level (water pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure). The height of the water table is usually measured below the head of the slope. Slope is the measurement of the steepness of the slope or hillside surface. It can be measured in degrees, as a percentage, or in the ratio m:1, where m is the horizontal distance corresponding to one unit of vertical distance. Example: 45 degrees = 100% = 1H:1V. More resistant soils or rocks generally form steeper slopes, and low-strength or soft materials tend to form shallower slopes. A stable slope can become a "landslide." To learn the nomenclature of a landslide, subscribe to our channel to watch it in the next video. 📃 You can DOWNLOAD Chapter 1 of the Landslides Book, by Professor Suarez - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SckS... LANDSLIDES Analysis and Control - Special Report 176 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1999x... —- #slopes #geotechnics #hillsides ---