Geologic Hazards: A Field Guide for Geotechnical Engineers / Edition 1

by Roy E. Hunt

Overview

Geologic hazards pose the greatest threat to human safety for any geotechnical undertaking, but it is ultimately the engineer's ability to recognize and cope with these hazards that will determine the safety of life and property. Armed with Geologic Hazards: A Field Guide for Geotechnical Engineers you will be able to properly recognize, understand various geologic hazards, and provide safe and economical construction. Eminent expert Roy E. Hunt thoroughly examines the potential for slope failures, earthquakes, ground subsidence, collapse, and expansion. Using a clear conceptual approach, he explains what measures are available to minimize or eliminate the risks associated with each of these geologic hazards.

The book sets forth the basis for recognizing, understanding, and treating geologic hazards, using general concepts rather than rigorous mathematical analyses. The author covers the prediction of slope failures through recognition of geologic and other factors that govern failure, the treatment of slopes that are potentially unstable and pose a danger to some existing development, the design and construction of stable cut slopes and sidehill fills, and the stabilization of failed slopes. He provides the foundation for determining the potential for surface movements and for preventing or controlling their effects. A section on earthquakes summarizes and links all of the aspects of earthquakes including their causes, characteristics, and surface effects. It provides a thorough grounding in how to recognize hazard potential and minimize the consequences.

There is no field within geotechnical engineering in which the state of the art is changing so rapidly. Providing the latest information, this resource is a useful tool for designing new projects and redesigning old ones.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367389413
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/25/2019
Pages:	323
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Author ix

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Landslides and Other Slope Failures 3

1.1 Introduction 3

1.1.1 General 3

1.1.2 Hazard Recognition 4

1.1.3 Rating the Hazard and the Risk 9

1.1.4 Elements of Slope Stability 11

1.2 Slope Failure Form Characteristics 18

1.2.1 Creep 18

1.2.2 Falls 19

1.2.3 Planar Slides in Rock Masses 20

1.2.4 Rotational Slides in Rock 27

1.2.5 Rotational Slides in Soils 27

1.2.6 Lateral Spreading and Progressive Failure 29

1.2.7 Debris Slides 45

1.2.8 Debris Avalanches 47

1.2.9 Debris Flows 52

1.2.10 Rock-Fragment Flows 52

1.2.11 Soil and Mud Flows 53

1.2.12 Seafloor Instability 57

1.3 Assessment of Slopes 59

1.3.1 General 59

1.3.2 Stability Analysis: A Brief Review 59

1.3.3 Slope Characteristics 76

1.3.4 Weather Factors 87

1.3.5 Hazard Maps and Risk Assessment 90

1.4 Treatment of Slopes 92

1.4.1 General Concepts 92

1.4.2 Changing Slope Geometry 97

1.4.3 Surface Water Control 101

1.4.4 Internal Seepage Control 102

1.4.5 Side-Hill Fills 106

1.4.6 Retention 108

1.5 Investigation: A Review 117

1.5.1 General 117

1.5.2 Regional and Total Slope Studies 123

1.5.3 Detailed Study of Cut, Fill, or Failure Area 126

1.5.4 Case Study 127

1.5.5 Instrumentation and Monitoring 130

References 132

Further Reading 135

Chapter 2 Ground Subsidence, Collapse, and Heave 137

2.1 Introduction 137

2.1.1 General 137

2.1.2 The Hazards 137

2.1.3 Scope and Objectives 137

2.2 Groundwater and Oil Extraction 138

2.2.1 Subsurface Effects 138

2.2.2 Surface Effects 139

2.2.3 Physiographic Occurrence 140

2.2.4 Significant Examples 141

2.2.5 Subsidence Prevention and Control 144

2.3 Subsurface Mining 148

2.3.1 Subsidence Occurrence 148

2.3.2 Longwall Panel Extraction 151

2.3.3 Room and Pillar Method (Also "Breast and Heading" Method) 152

2.3.4 Strength Properties of Coal 155

2.3.5 Investigation of Existing Mines 156

2.3.6 Subsidence Prevention and Control and Foundation Support 159

2.4 Solution of Rock 160

2.4.1 General 160

2.4.2 Solution Phenomenon and Development 160

2.4.3 Investigation 165

2.4.4 Support of Surface Structures 168

2.5 Soil Subsidence and Collapse 169

2.5.1 General 169

2.5.2 Collapsible or Metastable Soils 169

2.5.3 Predicting Collapse Potential 176

2.5.4 Treatment and Support of Structures 178

2.5.5 Piping Soils and Dispersive Clays 180

2.6 Heave in Soil and Rock 183

2.6.1 General 183

2.6.2 Swelling in Soils 184

2.6.3 Swelling in Rock Masses 187

2.6.4 Treatments to Prevent or Minimize Swelling and Heave 190

References 191

Further Reading 195

Chapter 3 Earthquakes 197

3.1 Introduction 197

3.1.1 General 197

3.1.2 Geographic Distribution 198

3.1.3 Objectives and Scope 203

3.2 Earthquake Elements 203

3.2.1 The Source 203

3.2.2 Seismic Waves 206

3.2.3 Ground Motion 209

3.2.4 Intensity and Magnitude 214

3.2.5 Attenuation 220

3.2.6 Amplification 223

3.2.7 Duration 227

3.2.8 Recurrence and Forecasting 228

3.3 Surface Effects on the Geologic Environment 233

3.3.1 Faulting 233

3.3.2 Soil Behavior 245

3.3.3 Subsidence and Liquefaction 248

3.3.4 Slope Failures 255

3.3.5 Tsunamis and Seiches: Response of Large Water Bodies 260

3.3.6 The Volcano Hazard 262

3.4 Earthquake-Resistant Design: An Overview 263

3.4.1 Introduction 263

3.4.2 Structural Response 265

3.4.3 Site Ground-Response Factors 269

3.4.4 Response Spectra 271

3.4.5 Seismic Hazard Analysis 274

3.4.6 The Design Earthquake 276

3.4.7 Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) Analysis 282

3.5 Investigation: Important Structures in High-Hazard Areas 287

3.5.1 Introduction 287

3.5.2 Preliminary Phase 287

3.5.3 Detailed Study of Regional and Local Geologic Conditions 290

3.5.4 Evaluation and Analysis 292

3.5.5 Limitations in the Present State of the Art 293

References 295

Further Reading 299

Appendix The Earth and Geologic History 301

A.1 Significance to the Engineer 301

A.2 The Earth 301

A.2.1 General 301

A.2.2 Cross Section 301

A.3 Global Tectonics 302

A.3.1 General 302

A.3.2 The Hypotheses 302

A.4 Geologic History 303

A.4.1 North America: Provides a General Illustration 303

A.4.2 Radiometric Dating 306

References 307

Further Reading 307

Index 309