CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 INTRODUCTION

There are lot of research that had been done by previous researcher of rain infiltration in
residual soil to investigate the changes of the matric suction in residual soils. The changes of
matric suction were influence by many parameters that had been recorded from previous
investigations. The parameters are including rainfall intensity, water quality and types of
residual soil. Hence, many studies has been conducted to investigate the influence of matric
suction and its effect against the shear strength and other properties involved.

2.1 RAINFALL INTENSITY INDUCED MATRIC SUCTION

Rain infiltration in soil reduces the shear strength of the soils because of the reductions of the
matric suction. The drop of matric suction in soil tend to influences parameter in soils in
terms of physical and chemical. Rainfall with high intensity gives changes to the
characteristics of the soils. The important factor that affects the stability of saturated-
unsaturated soil slope is rainfall (Khalid Mahmood, Jin Man Kim, Muhammad Ashraf,
Ziaurrehman,.2015). According to the conducted study, it shows that reduction of matric
suction due to heavy rainfall and high intensities decrease the shear strength of the soils lose
strength. On the other hand rainfall penetration analysis was used to determine the depth of
the wetting band for shallow and deep-seated slope failure in watershed-scale landslides. The
simulated findings are quite similar to the investigation results, indicating that the method
used is suitable for simulating landslides in unsaturated soils (Sangseom Jeong , Kwangwoo
Lee , Junghwan Kim ,* and Yongmin Kim). This study explained the triggering systems to
the slope stabilities that stands between geotechnical and hydrological process. In another
study ,rain infiltration has been used to study the behaviour of unsaturated soils. The
behaviour of unsaturated soils was influenced by the flex changes of rain infiltration and
ground water table. Hence the research tools that have been used for measurement to study
the unsaturated soils behaviour is matric suction and also infiltration rate. Matric suction is
important to study the characteristics of the soils and the strength of the soils can be
determined to achieved slope stability. The study also recorded the rainfall records,
infiltration rate, surface runoff of the soils, soil shear strength, and soil moisture
characteristics (Saravanan Mariappan, Faisal Bin Ali, Low Tian Huat.2010). According to
the study that had been done, it can be conclude that the rate of matric suction drop increase
when the infiltration rate of rainfall increase. From this study the overall hypothesis of the
study denotes that the ability of matric suction of unsaturated soils was influenced by the rate
of rain infiltration into the soils. The existing common perception of the slope instability
mechanism induced by rainfall elements is that rainfall caused the slope infiltration of
groundwater water level rise, the softening of the soil sliding surface, which weakens slope
stability and leads to the occurrence of landslides (Li Zhuo, He Yong-Jun,,Xu Hai-Feng,
Yang Yang, 2015.) The wetting front is affected by rainfall infiltration up to the depth of
infiltration. The process of unsaturated seepage flow, as well as its impact on pore-water
pressure and slope stability under various soil conditions, might aid in a better understanding
of the problem (Khalid Mahmood, Jin Man Kim, Muhammad Ashraf, Ziaurrehman,.2015).
Moreover as rain water infiltrate the residual soils, according to the perspective of geo

2.2 WATER QUALITY AND MATRIC SUCTION

When rainfall occured the water will infiltrate into the soils through the surfaces runoff, water
contents in soil will increase and the water particles will filling the pores in soil. The soil
pores will be fill with water during a rain shower or irrigation application. The soil is said to
be saturated when all of its pores are filled with water. The soil had lost all of its oxygen
particles and it is simply to tell if a soil is moist in the field. If a handful of saturated residual
soil was compressed between your fingers, some (muddy) water will leak out. The soil will
become medium that carry the water content and denotes the quality of water (C. Brouwer,
A.Goffeau, M. Heibloem ,1985). This paper aim to study the characteristics of water quality
in soils. Water quality in soils can be vary depending on types of geographical, types of soils
and also sources of water. The matric suction reactions in the soil might also change
depending on the parameters of the soil water properties. By measuring the wetness of the
soil, the presence of moisture in the soil structure effects the responses of the matric suction.
The matric suction qualities of the soil can be measured by understanding the principles of
soil water (W.R. Whalley, E.S. Ober, M. Jenkins, 2013). According to this study, conducting
investigations on the moisture content of the soils, can helps to understand the profile of
matric suctions in residual soils. Water contents in soil will infiltrate into the water ground
level when some of the rain that falls on the ground seeps into the ground and becomes
groundwater. Water can move both vertically and horizontally when it contacts the water
table (below which the soil is wet). Water flowing downward can collide with more dense
and water-resistant nonporous rock and soil, causing it to flow horizontally, usually towards
streams, the ocean, or deeper into the ground (Sustainability Of Ground Water Resources
Circular 1186). This study explained the journey of the rain water that infiltrate into the soil
and reach groundwater table after a few depth. The characteristics of water in soil influences
the matric suction in soil depending on its depth. On the other hand, rainwater has been
classified as the major cause for slope stability failure. The majority of slope failures and
landslides that occurred in areas with high seasonal rainfall have been attributed to rainfall.
The failure mechanism was mostly due to the loss of matric suction of soils caused by
precipitation of rainwater in to soil (Bujang B. K. Huat, Faisal HJ. Ali & T. H. Low, 2006). A
parametric study is also conducted to investigate the effect of permeability ratio, perched
water table development, and rainfall intensity on the factor of safety against soil slope
instability. Different surface covering on slopes have an effect on water infiltration, according
to the results of the model study. Water infiltration decreases when the slope steepness
increases, according to the influence of slope angle. When it comes to the movement of the
wetting front, it appears that water infiltration is greater near the toe of the model slope than
at the top (Bujang B. K. Huat, Faisal HJ. Ali & T. H. Low, 2006). On the other conducted
investigations,due to low quality of water, the soil has exposed to the contaminations . The
increasing prevalence of soil contamination has generated a number of studies looking into
the impacts of chemicals on the geotechnical qualities of fine-grained soils (Gratchev and
Sassa, 2009). Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NO3) are the main causes of acid
rain, which are caused by air pollution. In rainwater, these oxides react to form stronger
acids, significantly reducing the pH to 4.5 or even 3.0. Changes in the chemical
characteristics of the medium have a significant effect on the mechanical behaviour of soils
(Santamarina et al., 2002). This conducted study presented the the investigations of matric
suctions on acidic water. Based on the study, two types of soil were selected that is
sedimentary residual soils (SRS) and igneous residual soils (IRS) (Zeinab Bakhshipour,
Afshin Asadi , Bujang B.K. Huat , A. Sridharanc, , Satoru Kawasaki, 2016). The results
shows that low pH values and large artificial acid rain (AAR) fluxes alter the characteristics
and
properties of both sedimentary residual soil (SRS) and igneousidual soil (IRS), resulting in
lower soil strentgth and maximum dry density (MDD) and higher coefficient of
permeability ,Atterberg Limits, and optimum moisture content (OMC).
2.3 MATRIC SUCTION IN UNSATURATED SOILS

Soils that cover most of Earth are saturated soils, however after a period of time it has
undergo weathering and become unsaturated (Saravanan Mariappan, Faisal Bin Ali, Low
Tian Huat.2010). Unsaturated soils are known to have 3 phases. The phases are solids,
water, and air. On the other hand, actually there are another phases that was called
contractiled skin or air water interfaces (Fredlund and Morgenstern, 1977). Unsaturated soil
consist of natural, desiccated silts and clays, transported soils and residual soils. Mostly of
unsaturated soils formation because of weathering process that occurred. In saturated soil the
volumetric of water content and hydraulic conductivity are constant but not for unsaturated
soils. Pore water pressure is negative in the unsaturated zone above the water table (matric
suction). The hydraulic conductivity of volumetric water content is thus a function of matric
suction. The volumetric and hydraulic conductivity curves must be modelled in the case of
saturated unsaturated seepage (Khalid Mahmood, Jin Man Kim, Muhammad Ashraf,
Ziaurrehman,2015). Matric suction in unsaturated soils tend to alter the characteristics of the
soil slope. From the conducted test the shear strength of the soil was clearly reduced for all
suctions levels as the weathering grade changes to grade III from grade V (Saravanan
Mariappan, Faisal Bin Ali, Low Tian Huat.2010). This paper denotes the weathering grades,
the cut slope was plotted. The weathering grades were classified using the Geological Society
of Engineering Group's Working Party Report as a guide (Robert B. Johnson and Jerome V.
Degraff). As conclusion from the test, the factor that influences matric suction is soil shear
strength, soil weathering grades, and slope surfaces conditions.
SUMMARY OF JOURNAL

RAINFALL INFILTRATION, SOIL MATRIC SUCTION AND SLOPE

ENGINEERING

Saravanan Mariappan , Faisal Bin Ali , Low Tian Huat University Malaya, Kuala
Lumpur (2016)

This research paper investigated the behaviour of the unsaturated soils to achieve better
understanding of slope stability design. The parameter measurement of this paper including
matric suction, rainfall records, infiltration rate, surface runoff of soils, shear strength and soil
moisture characteristics. Basically there are two test that had been conducted that is field
study and laboratory test. The laboratory test uses Modified Rowe Cell and both of the test in
laboratory and filed uses the tensiometer to measure the soil water characteristics. The filed
investigation had been done on a slope along the airport link road in the district of Sepang.
The Sepang Public Work Department had given permission to conducted the research hence
including site geological mapping, insitu block sampling (Brand E. W. and Phillipson H. B.,
1985), boreholes and standpipes.. This paper also cover in detail every investigations on field
and laboratory and produce a comparison to the actual field data. The findings of the paper
shows that the higher the infiltration rate, the higher the matric suction drop during rainfall.
This study also will go through the research test results for matric suction in the field and in
the lab, as well as rainwater infiltration and a decrease in the slope factor of safety analysis.

LABORATORY INVESTIGATION OF SUCTION DISTRIBUTION IN A MODIFIED

CAPILLARY BARRIER SYSTEM

Gambo Haruna Yunusa,* , Azman Kassim, Murtala Umar and Zaihasra Abu Talib

This investigation aim to study the effect of transport layer in diversion capacity of natural
capillary barrier system using laboratory slope model. The slope model was made of stainless
steel and 5mm thick acrylic sheets. The sandy silt and silty gravel soil are identified as grade
VI and grade V soil were used in this study to test with different intensities of rainfall in a
rainfall simulator. The investigation had been done and the results shows that the sandy silt
and silty gravel have natural barrier capillaries that help prevents the infiltration of water into
the deeper depth. Moreover the introduction of sandy silt and silty gravel also influences the
rate of infiltration of rain water in to the soil. On the other hands gravel that have larger
particles than sand are more effective in diverting the infiltrating water compared to that of
gravelly sand. The reason is because the upper grade VI layer possessed capillary forces due
to its finer pore structures and relatively large air entry value, thus, it retained the infiltrating
water, and the gravel transport layer possessed relatively larger pore structures compared to
the grade VI layer and hence it possessed higher hydraulic conductivity values and small
water entry value.

EFFECT ON ACID RAIN ON GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF RESIDUAL

SOIL

Zeinab Bakhshipour, Afshin Asadi , Bujang B.K. Huat , A. Sridharanc, , Satoru

Kawasaki. 2016

An investigation had been done to investigate the effect of acid rain on geotechnical
properties of residual soils. The selected residual soils to be used as sample is sedimentary
residual soils (SRS) and igneous residual soils (IRS). The procedure was to use different
value of pH of artificial acid rain (AAR) and distributed to residual soils through rain
simulator. To investigate the geotechnical properties of the residual soils the compressive
strength, consistency limits, compaction characteristic and coefficient of permeability are
meant to be observe. As the results said, the lower pH value of AAR led to increase the
coefficient of permeability. Regarding the effects of AAR on residual soil, the acid rains have
significant effects on soils physico-chemical properties and may become danger if not treated
well.

DETERMINATION OF MATRIC SUCTION AND SATURATION DEGREE FOR

UNSATURATED SOILS, COMPARATIVE STUDY - NUMERICAL METHOD
VERSUS ANALYTICAL METHOD

Vasile-Florin Chiorean 2017

Matric suction influences the behaviour of the unsaturated residual soils. The parameters that
affects by matric suction in unsaturated soils is shear strength and coefficient of permeability.
The motive of this investigations is to solve geotechnical issues such as slope stability and
bearing capacity. There are two method presented in this paper that is numerical method and
analytical method. The analytical method approach prioritize the infiltration of unsaturated
soil with one steady state direction that occur between two levels that is groundwater level
and soils levels. In terms of boundary conditions, three scenarios were simulated:
precipitation (inflow circumstances on the ground surface), evaporation (outflow
circumstances on the ground surface), and perfect equilibrium (no flow on ground surface).
The numerical method approach is a finite element approach.The mathematical equations for
both methods and also for permeability prediction model was proposed by van Genuchten
Mualen (1980). There are three major soil types that were used in the investigations and all
the data of sand, silt and clay were recorded to produce a comparison of each similarities and
differences between each soil types.

Theoretical Context For Understanding Unsaturated Residual Soil Behavior

D.G. Fredlund and H. Rahardjo (1985)

The fundamental concepts for explaining the behaviour of unsaturated residual soils are laid
out. The current state of knowledge concerning fluid flow, shear strength, and volume change
in unsaturated soils is discussed. Case studies are used to demonstrate the application of
theory and technology in overcoming shear strength concerns in unsaturated residual soils. In
this paper there are four phase of unsaturated soils that is solid phase (soil particles and
contractile skin) and also fluid phase (water and air). This paper also presented the cases
related to unsaturated soils issues such as what happened in Hong Kong. The overall of this
paper is to demonstrate the theory of unsaturated soils based on slope stability issues in Hong
Kong.

Rainfall-Induced Landslides By Deficit Field Matric Suction In Unsaturated Soil Slopes

Junghwan Kim , Yongmin Kim , Sangseom Jeong , Moonhyun Hong (2017)

The deepening of the wetting band accompanied by a drop of matric suction induced by the
water infiltration are the main factors that triggered the landslide incidents. This paper
presented the rainfall-induced landslides in partially saturated soil slopes through a field
study and a comprehensive case study on the 2011 Umyeonsan (Mt.) landslides was
highlighted for further investigations This paper cover both field and laboratory to determine
a few characteristics such as geotechnical, hydrogeological and vegetation characteristics. On
the other hands the characteristics of geomorphology features and behaviour of the landslide
can be determine. The overall objectives of this paper is to study the rainfall induced
landslide based on the cases that happened at Umyeonsan (Mt.) on 2011 to understand the
mechanism of the landslide when infiltration of the rainfall occurs.

The Effect of Soil Type on Matric Suction and Stability of Unsaturated Slope under
Uniform Rainfall

Khalid Mahmood, Jin Man Kim, Muhammad Ashraf, and Ziaurrehman

The shear strength of unsaturated soil decreased because of the infiltration of the rain. This
happened because the reduction of matric suction in soil as the wetting front moves through
it. However it still unknown the exact parameters of the matric suction that may influence the
slope stability. Hence, an investigation has been conducted and presented in this paper. The
numerical findings of wetting front depth, matric suction, and stability in terms of reliability
index for a single rainfall intensity are presented in this paper. The evaluations are based on
the modified Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion and a finite element saturated-unsaturated
seepage model for five types soils. According to the numerical result, the matric suction in
soil shows different result after the rain infiltration.

Analysis Of Rainfall-Induced Landslide On Unsaturated Soil Slopes

Sangseom Jeong , Kwangwoo Lee , Junghwan Kim , and Yongmin Kim

Using the cases in 2011 Umyeonsan landslides at the center of Seoul, Korea, this paper
investigate the rainfall induced landslide on partially saturated soil. Regarding the results
shown in this study, landslide activity including the following parameters ;rainfall and soil
properties and slope geometry, and vegetation. To confirm the effect of the related factors
that influence landslide, a numerical analysis was conducted. Rainfall penetration analysis
were needed to determine the wetting band depth for shallow and deep-seated slope failure in
watershed-scale landslide. As a result, the simulated findings are quite similar to the
investigation results, indicating that the method used is suitable for simulating landslides in
unsaturated soils.

Study Of Water Quality And Heavy Metals In Soil & Water Of Ex-Mining Area Bestari
Jaya, Peninsular Malaysia

Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf, Mohd. Jamil Maah and Ismail Bin Yusoff

One of the oldest industries in peninsular Malaysia is tin mining since 1820s. Around
113,700 hectors of tin tailings have been produced as a result of these mining activities.
Throughout the peninsula, this resulted in one of many environmental issues, including a
threat to natural reserves as a result of landscape changes, disruption to natural drainage,
pollution, and habitat degradation.. The investigations was carried out on one of the oldest
mining area in Bestari Jaya (Batang Berjuntai), Selangor. Initially, 92.61 hectors of
downstream catchment, including two mined out water ponds, were investigated. These
ponds run downstream to the River Ayer Hitam, which eventually joins the River Selangor 5
kilometres upstream of the Batang Berjuntai Water Treatment Plants SSP1 and SSP2, which
serve the federal area (Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya) as well as Selangor state. The objectives
of this paper is to gather information on environmental and pollution characteristics on the
ground water table effects, as well as to plan future activities in the selected area.
REFERENCES

1) Vasile-Florin Chiorean 2017 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 245 032074

2) D.G. Fredlund and H. Rahardjo 1985 “Theoretical context for understanding

unsaturated residual soil behaviour” (PDF) Theoretical context for understanding
unsaturated residual soil behavior (researchgate.net)

3) Gambo Haruna Yunusa,* , Azman Kassim , Murtala Umar and Zaihasra Abu
Talib “Laboratory Investigation of Suction Distribution in a Modified Capillary
Barrier System” CENVIRON 2019 191-184 2019.pdf

4) K. Muraleetharan and K. Granger, "The Use of Miniature Pore Pressure

Transducers in Measuring Matric Suction in Unsaturated Soils," Geotechnical
Testing Journal 22, no. 3 (1999): 226-234. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ11113J
5) Huat, B.B.K., Ali, F.H. & Low, T.H. “Water infiltration characteristics of
unsaturated soil slope and its effect on suction and stability”. Geotech Geol
Eng 24, 1293–1306 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-005-1881-8

6) Khalid Mahmood, Jin Man Kim, Muhammad Ashraf, and Ziaurrehman 2015
“The Effect of Soil Type on Matric Suction and Stability of Unsaturated Slope
under Uniform Rainfall” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281148394
7) Sangseom Jeong , Kwangwoo Lee , Junghwan Kim ,and Yongmin Kim 2017
“Analysis of Rainfall-Induced Landslide on Unsaturated Soil Slopes”.
www.mdpi/journal/sustainability
8) Zeinab Bakhshipour, Afshin Asadi , Bujang B.K. Huat , A. Sridharanc, , Satoru
Kawasaki. 2016 “Effect of acid rain on geotechnical properties of residual soils”
0038-0806/& 2017 The Japanese Geotechnical Society. Production and hosting by
Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
9) Saravanan Mariappan, Faisal Bin Ali , Low Tian Huat 2016 “Rainfall Infiltration,
Soil Matric Suction and Slope Engineering”
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/296217765
10) Kim, J., Kim, Y., Jeong, S., & Hong, M. (2017). Rainfall-induced landslide
deficit field matric suction in unsaturated soil slopes.
Environmental Earth Sciences, 76(23), 808-.doi:10.1007/s12665-017-7127-2
11) M.A.Tekinsoyc.Kayadelen , M.S.Keskin, M.Söylemez Computers And
Geotechnics Volume 31, Issue 7 October 2004, Page 589-593
Acid rain refferences pdf.pdf

ACID RAIN IS A RESULT OF AIR POLLUTION, AND THE MAJOR SOURCES OF ACID RAIN ARE SULFUR
DIOXIDE (SO2) AND NITROGEN OXIDES (NOX) (DENMAN ET AL., 2007). THESE OXIDES REACT IN
RAINWATER TO PRODUCE STRONGER ACIDS AND MAY LOWER THE PH TO 4.5 OR EVEN 3.0. THE
MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF SOILS IS SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCED BY CHANGES IN THE CHEMICAL
PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIUM (SANTAMARINA ET AL., 2002).

The aforementioned reviews show that the effects of acid rain on the physico-chemical and
engineering properties of soil could be different, due to the complexity of the mineral composition
of the host soil, and the associated physicochemical reactions. Therefore, further research will
contribute to a better understanding of the effect of acid rain on the physical and engineering
properties of natural soils for different environmental conditions

Rainfall-induced landslides by deficit field matric suction in.pdf

. From a geotechnical perspective, the main reason for slope failure is the loss of matric suction and
hence a loss of effective stress as water infiltrates the soil.

Matric suction is defined as difference between pore air pressure, ua, and pore water pressure, uw.
In geotechnical engineering field, pore air pressure can be considered equal with atmospheric
pressure and therefore it can be ignored (ua=0), [1]. Determination of matric suction distribution in
unsaturated zone represents a major step, necessary for further geotechnical applications regarding
specific unsaturated soil behaviour. Matric suction (ua-uw) is necessary for determination of
unsaturated soil shear strength, permeability of unsaturated soils, and effective stress state in
unsaturated zone

L. L. Zhang, L. M. Zhang, W. H. Tang, Rainfall-induced slope failure considering variability of soil

properties. Géotechnique. 55(2), 6 (2005)