Surficial slope failures in highway fill embankments are shallow landslides that occur within the embankment fill, usually affecting only a portion of the slope’s height. These failures tend to occur after a vulnerable embankment slope is subjected to a triggering event. An embankment’s failure susceptibility generally depends on factors such as slope steepness, material composition, and ability to withstand adverse drainage conditions. Examples of trigger mechanisms include intense rainfall, snowmelt, seismic activity, and reshaping of the embankment.
NCHRP Synthesis 617: Prevention and Mitigation of Surficial Slope Failures on Fill Highway Embankment Slopes, from TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program, documents state departments of transportation practices on identification, investigation, design guidance and requirements, prevention, and mitigation of surficial slope failures.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2024. Prevention and Mitigation of Surficial Slope Failures on Fill Highway Embankment Slopes. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/27645.
Chapters | skim | |
---|---|---|
Front Matter | i-viii | |
Summary | 1-2 | |
Chapter 1 - Introduction | 3-5 | |
Chapter 2 - Literature Review | 6-9 | |
Chapter 3 - State of the Practice | 10-17 | |
Chapter 4 - Case Examples | 18-23 | |
Chapter 5 - Summary of Findings | 24-27 | |
References | 28-29 | |
Appendix A - Survey Questionnaire | 30-42 | |
Appendix B - Compiled Survey Responses | 43-55 | |
Appendix C - DOT-Provided Documentation | 56-84 |
The Chapter Skim search tool presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter. You may select key terms to highlight them within pages of each chapter.