Predisposition to Mass Movements on Railway Slopes: Insights from Field Data on Geotechnical and Pluviometric Influences

Monitoring natural slopes, embankments, and unstable slopes is crucial to reducing predisposition to mass movements, especially in areas with geotechnical instability and high rainfall. This study proposes a methodology to identify geotechnical and pluviometric triggers of mass movements in railway...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Infrastructures (Basel) 2024-10, Vol.9 (10), p.168
Main Authors: Campos, Priscila Celebrini de Oliveira, Rosa, Diego Leonardo, Marques, Maria Esther Soares, Paz, Igor
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accident prediction
Cadastral mapping
Case studies
Correlation
Embankment stability
Embankments
Failure
Geographic information systems
Geological mapping
Geology
geotechnical monitoring
Infrastructure
Land surveys
Landslides
Landslides & mudslides
mass movement triggers
railway slope stability
Railways
Rainfall
rainfall-induced landslides
Shear strength
Slope stability
Soil erosion
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Summary:Monitoring natural slopes, embankments, and unstable slopes is crucial to reducing predisposition to mass movements, especially in areas with geotechnical instability and high rainfall. This study proposes a methodology to identify geotechnical and pluviometric triggers of mass movements in railway slopes. It involves registering slopes and embankments along the railroad, recording accumulated rainfall indices, and documenting associated accidents. The experimental program included a cadastral survey at a pilot site on the MRS company’s railway network in the Paraopeba branch, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Surface and subsurface drainage conditions, anthropic interventions, and modifications affecting slope stability were also examined. Additionally, the history of accidents involving geotechnical and regional rainfall indices were incorporated to identify potential triggering events for mass movements. The study found a good correlation between landslide records and geotechnical risk mapping but a low correlation between landslide records and rainfall isohyets. The latter result is attributed to the low density and poor distribution of rainfall data and active pluviometers in the region. Overall, understanding the geological–geotechnical characteristics of slopes and the correlation between accidents and rainfall indices provides valuable insights for predicting potential landslide occurrences.
ISSN:2412-3811
2412-3811
DOI:10.3390/infrastructures9100168