water
Article
Stability Analysis of Embankment Slope Considering Water
Absorption and Softening of Subgrade Expansive Soil
Siyi Zhao *, Jiantao Zheng and Jian Yang
Citation: Zhao, S.; Zheng, J.; Yang, J.
Stability Analysis of Embankment
Slope Considering Water Absorption
and Softening of Subgrade Expansive
Soil. Water 2022, 14, 3528. https://
doi.org/10.3390/w14213528
Academic Editors: Wei Shao,
Wen Nie and Junjun Ni
Received: 5 August 2022
Accepted: 25 October 2022
Published: 3 November 2022
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distributed under the terms and
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Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
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4.0/).
Water 2022, 14, 3528. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14213528
China Huaneng Group Clean Energy Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., Beijing 102209, China
* Correspondence: 1710174@tongji.edu.cn; Tel.: +86-177-1662-0602
Abstract: With the rapid development of road engineering today, a large number of high-grade
highways need to pass through expansive soil distribution areas. At present, the research on expansive
soil slope mainly focuses on the newly excavated cutting slope. However, according to engineering
experience, a landslide of fill embankment on expansive soil foundation is also very common. The
expansive soil layer is heterogeneous. There are many weak intercalations or large fissures under the
ground, which are generally parallel to the trend, with low strength and high permeability. After
rainfall, the strength of the weak interlayer and large fissures will be further reduced after moisture
absorption, and the sliding surface is easily formed under the load of filler, which is the main factor
inducing embankment landslide. On the basis of landslide investigation and a laboratory test, a
FORTRAN calculation program is developed in this paper, which can comprehensively consider
the special moisture absorption and softening characteristics of expansive soil. Taking a high fill
embankment slope with a soft interlayer in the Baoshan area of Yunnan Province as an example, the
stability and instability characteristics of the fill slope on the expansive soil foundation are analyzed,
and the influence of moisture absorption and softening on the expansive soil slope is emphatically
discussed. Finally, this paper puts forward the reinforcement method of the high fill embankment
slope on the soft expansive soil foundation, which is proven to have a good reinforcement effect
through calculation analysis and field practice. For expansive soil foundation with weak interlayer, it
is better to directly reinforce the weak layer through rigid piles.
Keywords: expansive soil; landslide; failure mode; rainfall infiltration
1. Introduction
Expansive soil is a kind of special cohesive soil with expansibility, fissures, and
moisture absorption softening. Its special engineering properties often bring great harm
to local water conservancy channels and road projects, among which the instability of
embankment built on expansive soil foundation is a more common engineering disease.
Different from ordinary clayey soil, the shallow layer of expansive soil often has a broken
structure and dense cracks. There are weak layers and structural planes below a few meters
deep. Under the action of rainfall infiltration and groundwater level rise, the strength of
the foundation expansive soil further softens after moisture absorption, which induces the
slope of expansive soil to slide and lose stability along the weak layer.
Engineering accidents caused by the instability of expansive soil subgrade are very
common in the process of road construction. During the construction of Qingbao highway
in Yunnan Province, serious slope instability accidents occurred in many embankment
sections on expansive soil foundation. Different from the instability mechanism of the
expansive soil cutting slope, the stability of the filling embankment slope on expansive soil
foundation is not only affected by the properties of expansive soil in the bearing layer but
the weak interlayer in the expansive soil layer is also very developed, which is generally
expansive. When there is a large filling load on the expansive soil foundation, these weak
intercalations are prone to slip failure under the load, which has become the main factor
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/water
Water 2022, 14, 3528 2 of 15

inducing embankment landslide. If there is rainfall infiltration and groundwater level rise
at the same time, and the strength of the weak interlayer becomes softer after moisture
absorption, it is more likely to lead to the instability of the embankment slope on the
expansive soil subgrade, which will seriously affect the highway construction.
Scholars have carried out a lot of research on this problem from two aspects: the
change of hygroscopic softening strength of expansive soil and its impact on slope stability.
In terms of strength softening, Zhang [1,2] found that the two main factors affecting the
strength of expansive soil are water content and crack ratio. Zhou [3] found that the
strength of expansive soil decreases with the increase in water content, the cohesion and
internal friction angle have a logarithmic relationship with water content, and the cohesion
and saturation of soil have a quadratic parabola relationship. Yang [4,5] simulated the
cracks of expansive soil through the interface element, analyzed the relationship between
the softening path length of cracks and slope stability with the seepage of rainwater along
the cracks, and better predicted the time of critical failure of the slope. Xu [6] found that the
cohesion of expansive soil is close to 0 in the completely softened state, and the strength
is mainly determined by the internal friction angle at this time, in terms of the influence
of moisture absorption and softening on slope stability. Later, by analyzing an unstable
expansive soil slope, Gyasi-Agyei [7,8] found that the actual strength of the expansive soil
after moisture absorption is very low, and the residual strength of the high water content
remolded soil should be used as a reference parameter for the design of the expansive soil
slope. At present, a lot of research has been carried out on rainfall-type landslide, but the
research on embankment slope destabilization model on expansive soil foundation needs
to be further studied [9–12]. The above research on slope stability is based on the softening
strength and the pre-specified area. In fact, this kind of slope instability is dynamic. With
the infiltration of rainfall and the rise of the groundwater level, the strength of soil decreases,
and the stability of slope decreases. The above research has not been able to analyze this
dynamic process well.
To sum up, this paper develops a program that can automatically realize the decline
of expansive soil strength with the increase in saturation. Based on a high fill embankment
slope on a fissured expansive soil foundation in Yunnan Province, combined with laboratory
tests, the influence of moisture absorption and softening on slope stability and the instability
mode is discussed.

2. Calculation Program of Moisture Absorption and Softening

Due to the high clay content of expansive soil, the moisture absorption softening of
expansive soil is more obvious and violent than that of common clayey soil. With the
difference in clay content, the moisture absorption and softening characteristics of different
expansive soils are also quite different. Therefore, the applicability of the above methods is
limited, and it is necessary to explore a new method.
This paper designs a simple analysis method of moisture absorption and softening of
expansive soil slope, which is realized by the following three steps:
(1) Firstly, the strength of undisturbed expansive soil with different water content is
measured by a laboratory test, and the relationship between water content (saturation)
and strength is obtained.
(2) The boundary conditions are imposed on the slope model, and the shear strength
parameters of expansive soil are automatically modified and calculated through
subroutines, according to the saturation change of soil, during the change of rainfall
or groundwater level.
(3) Finally, the new stability coefficient and potential sliding surface are obtained by using
the strength reduction method in the finite element analysis.

2.1. Analysis of Moisture Absorption and Softening Characteristics

The shear strength of expansive soil will decrease significantly with the increase
in water content because the cohesion of unsaturated expansive soil is affected by the
 Water 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of

Water 2022, 14, 3528 2.1. Analysis of Moisture Absorption and Softening Characteristics 3 of 15

The shear strength of expansive soil will decrease significantly with the increase
water content because the cohesion of unsaturated expansive soil is affected by the a
adsorptionsorption
betweenbetween
soil particles and matrix
soil particles and suction.
matrixWith the increase
suction. With theinincrease
saturation, the
in saturation, t
thickness ofthickness
water film between
of water filmsoil particles
between increases,
soil particleswhich reduces
increases, whichthereduces
adsorption and
the adsorption an
matrix suction.
matrixTherefore,
suction.the law between
Therefore, strength
the law betweenand strength
moisture andcontent of expansive
moisture contentsoil
of expansi
should be studied through experiments.
soil should be studied through experiments.
At the landslide
At thesite, undisturbed
landslide soil samples
site, undisturbed ofsamples
soil shallow ofexpansive
shallow soil (main failure
expansive soil (main failu
layer) are taken through boreholes. The moisture content is measured
layer) are taken through boreholes. The moisture content is measured by the drying method,
by the dryin
and the internal friction angle and cohesion c of expansive soil sample is measured
method, and the internal friction angle and cohesion c of expansive soil sample by the is mea
direct rapidured
shear test. The relationship between the cohesion c value of the undisturbed
by the direct rapid shear test. The relationship between the cohesion c value of t
sample of the expansive sample
undisturbed soil andofthethe
saturation,
expansive Sr,soil
canand
be obtained by converting
the saturation, Sr, can the water by co
be obtained
content into saturation, as shown in the following Figure 1.
verting the water content into saturation, as shown in the following Figure 1.

Figuretest
Figure 1. Strength 1. Strength test of the undisturbed
of the undisturbed soil sample. soil sample.

AccordingAccording
to the test, to
thethe test, the
internal internal
friction friction
angle angle of soil
of expansive expansive
basicallysoildoes
basically
not does n
change with saturation, and it can be regarded as a fixed value in the process of moistureof moistu
change with saturation, and it can be regarded as a fixed value in the process
absorption.absorption.
As shown in AsFigure
shown in Figure
2, the cohesion 2, of
theexpansive
cohesion soil
of expansive
decreases, soil decreases,
obviously, with obvious
the increasewith the increase
in saturation. Whenin saturation.
the saturationWhenisthe saturation
greater is greater
than 93%, than 93%,
the cohesion the cohesion su
suddenly
decreases, denly
indicatingdecreases,
that theindicating
hygroscopic that softening
the hygroscopic softening
phenomenon phenomenon
of expansive soil of
is expansive
sig- s
is significant.
nificant. When When exceeds
the saturation the saturation
97%, the exceeds
cohesion 97%,decays
the cohesion decays
to stability. to stability. Ther
Therefore,
fore, in process,
in the calculation the calculation
when the process,
saturationwhenof thethesaturation
soil in theofunweathered
the soil in thearea
unweathered
is less area
lesscohesion
than 93%, the than 93%, the of
value cohesion
the soil value
is takenof as
thethesoil is taken
average as the
value average
of 38.9 in thevalue of 38.9 in t
natural
state. When natural state. When
the saturation the saturation
is greater than 97%,is greater than 97%,
the cohesion hasthebasically
cohesionreached
has basically
the reach
strength ofthe
complete
strength saturation,
of complete so itsaturation,
is set to the sosaturated
it is set tocohesion of 29.8
the saturated kpa. When
cohesion thekpa. Wh
of 29.8
saturation the
is between
saturation 93%isand
between97%, 93%
the cohesion
and 97%,isthe determined
cohesion is bydetermined
the fitting relationship
by the fitting relatio
(y = −3.2423x
ship+(y 338.8). The above
= −3.2423x process
+ 338.8). The isabove
realized by the
process is independently
realized by thewritten FOR- writt
independently
TRAN subroutine,
FORTRAN subroutine, which is called ABAQUS in the calculation process, the
which is called ABAQUS in the calculation process, to realize that to realize th
cohesion ofthesoilcohesion
changesof with
soilthe change
changes of saturation.
with the change of saturation.
Water 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 1

Water
Water 2022, 14, x3528
FOR PEER REVIEW 4 4ofof 15
15

Figure 2. Relationship between humidity and cohesion c.

Figure 2. Relationship between humidity and cohesion c.

2.2. Development
Figure 2. Relationshipofbetween
ABAQUS Subroutine
humidity and cohesion c.
2.2. Development
Through the of ABAQUS
developmentSubroutine
of the ABAQUS applet, the automatic change of expansiv
2.2. Development of ABAQUS Subroutine
soil Through
strengththe development
with saturationofinthe theABAQUS
calculationapplet, the automatic
process change of expansive
is as follows:
Throughwith
soil strength the development
saturation in of thethe ABAQUSprocess
calculation applet, is
theasautomatic
follows: change of expansive
(1)strength
soil Applywith
rainfall load boundary
saturation on theprocess
in the calculation top and outside
is as follows: of the slope, and calculate th
(1) Apply rainfall load boundary on the top and outside of the slope, and calculate the
slope
(1) Apply saturation
rainfall load field and
boundary groundwater
on the toplevel level
and after
outside after rainwater
of the slope, infiltration.
and calculate the
slope saturation field and groundwater rainwater infiltration.
(2) slope
According
saturation to field
the and
calculation
groundwaterresults
levelofafter
the rainwater
new slope saturation after rainfall, th
infiltration.
(2) According to the calculation results of the new slope saturation after rainfall, the
strengthofof
(2) According
strength thethe
to soilsoil
the element
calculation
element is updated.
isresults
updated.of the new slope saturation after rainfall, the
(3) strength
(3) Basedon
Based on thenew
ofthe
the new
soil soil
element
soil element strength,
is updated.
element strength, thethe stress
stress fieldfield
andand displacement
displacement field field
of of th
slope
(3) Based
the onare
slope theupdated,
arenew and
andthe
soil element
updated, the stability
strength, isiscalculated
stabilitythe stress fieldby
calculated by
and the finiteelement
element
displacement
the finite fieldstrength
of the reduc
strength
slope
tionare updated,
method.and the stability is calculated by the finite element strength reduc-
method.
reduction
tion
The method.
Thedetailed
detailedflowflow chart
chart of calculation
of the the calculationprocessprocess is, as follows,
is, as follows, in Figurein3:Figure 3:
The detailed flow chart of the calculation process is, as follows, in Figure 3:

Figure 3. Calculation flow chart.

Figure3.3.Calculation
Figure Calculation flow
flow chart.
chart.
Water 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 15

Water 2022, 14, 3528 5 of 15

3. Engineering Examples
3.1. Landslide Survey
The landslide
3. Engineering is located in Baoshan City, Yunnan Province, and it belongs to a gentle
Examples
slope
3.1. and hillySurvey
Landslide landform with gentle terrain. The rainfall is concentrated in the rainy sea-
son from TheJune to September.
landslide is located The designed
in Baoshan City,filling
Yunnan height of embankment
Province, and it belongs isto
16am. The con-
gentle
struction
slope andperiod just passes
hilly landform withthrough the local
gentle terrain. rainy season,
The rainfall and cracks
is concentrated in the occur on the top
rainy season
surface of the
from June subgrade The
to September. when the filling
designed filling reaches
height of 12 m, with an
embankment initial
is 16 m. Thejoint width of 1–2
construction
mm.period
The just passes through
construction the local
unit did rainytreatment
not take season, and cracks occur
measures on the top
to continue thesurface of
construction,
andthethe
subgrade when the
embankment filling reaches
deformation 12 m, with
increased an initialTwo
suddenly. joint days
widthlater,
of 1–2the
mm. The edge
upper
construction unit did not take treatment measures to continue the
crack increased to 30 cm, and the top of the embankment sank, with a sinking amount construction, and the of
embankment deformation increased suddenly. Two days later, the upper edge crack increased
30–40 cm. In the next five days, the top of the embankment sank by 1.6 m, as shown in the
to 30 cm, and the top of the embankment sank, with a sinking amount of 30–40 cm. In the
Figure 4 below.
next five days, the top of the embankment sank by 1.6 m, as shown in the Figure 4 below.

Figure
Figure 4. 4. Basic
Basic modelof
model ofslope.
slope.

The bedrock along the road is deeply buried, and the main foundation-bearing layer is
The bedrock along the road is deeply buried, and the main foundation-bearing layer
a medium to weak expansive soil layer. Some sections along the line have large topographic
is aheight
medium to weak expansive soil layer. Some sections along the line have large topo-
difference, large excavation and filling, and different bearing layers, which belong to
graphic
typical unevendifference,
height foundation.large excavation
According to theand filling,
results and different
of geological drillingbearing layers,
exploration test,which
belong
theretoaretypical uneven
four layers foundation.
of soil According
in the depth to thelayer,
of the bearing results of geological
as Table drilling explo-
1. The mechanical
ration
properties of the rock and soil layer are general, the shear strength is not high, and itTable
test, there are four layers of soil in the depth of the bearing layer, as is easy1. The
mechanical
to soften andproperties of case
collapse in the rock andThe
of water. soilparameters
layer are general, thesoil
of rock and shear strength
layers is not
are shown in high,
and Table
it is2.easy to soften and collapse in case of water. The parameters of rock and soil layers
are shown in Table 2.
Table 1. Values of cohesion parameters.

Table 1. Values of (Sr

cohesion
%) parameters. c (kPa) (Matrix Suction Has Been Considered)
75~93 38.9
(Sr %) 93~97 c (kPa) (Matrix Suction Has Been Considered)
−1.925 Sr + 217.925
75~93 97~100 38.931.2
93~97 −1.925 Sr + 217.925
97~100 31.2
Water 2022, 14, 3528 6 of 15

Table 2. Calculation parameters of soils.

Strength Parameters
Soil Layer
c (kPa) ϕ (◦ ) E (MPa) υ
embankment 10 25 50 0.35
spoil 35 18 30 0.35
3 1 weathered layer of expansive soil 20 12 30 0.3
soft layer 12 8 20 0.35
3 2 unweathered layer of expansive soil 38 12 40 0.28
4 hard soil 38 20 50 0.25

After supplementary exploration and analysis, the main causes of the embankment
landslide can be summarized as follows:
(1) The strength of the weathered layer of the shallow expansive soil is low, and there is a
weak interlayer, at the depth of 2.5 m, from the original surface. The inclination of
the interlayer is approximately the same as that of the stratum, and the dip angle is
slightly larger than that of the stratum.
(2) The long-term rainfall in the rainy season infiltrates through the weathered layer of
expansive soil with high permeability, raising the groundwater level, and the weak
interlayer further softens to form a potential sliding surface. The lower slope toe has
higher humidity and low strength, which reduces the binding force on the upper
soil mass.

3.2. Slope Model Considering Rainfall Moisture Absorption Softening of Foundation Soil
Since the moisture absorption and the softening of the weak layer and the slope foot
are the most important reasons for the instability of the slope foundation, the following
analyzes the foundation slope through the subroutine of the second part.
(1) Basic model
According to the supplementary survey results of the embankment landslide, the
section located in the middle of the landslide is selected as a typical section for analysis.
The soil layer distribution of this section is determined according to the supplementary
drilling data. The depth and distribution range are shown in the Figure 4, and the parameter
values are shown in Table 1. Before the construction of embankment surcharge, there is
a weathered layer with a thickness of 2~2.5 m on the surface, and an unweathered layer
below the depth of 2.5 m. Both layers come from the medium to weak expansive soil
layer with stable thickness and wide distribution on the site. The weak layer is located
between the weathered layer and the unweathered layer inside the expansive clay. The
thickness is set as the approximate average thickness of the weak layer determined by
the supplementary survey of the landslide is 0.2 m. The thickness and range of other soil
layers are determined according to the survey data. Below the hard clay is the bedrock
surface, and the strength and elastic modulus are much larger than the soil layer. Therefore,
the bottom of the hard clay at the bottom of the model is set as a fixed boundary, and the
horizontal displacement on both sides of the slope model is fixed.
(2) Analysis of groundwater rising process caused by rainfall infiltration
After a long period of intermittent rainfall in the rainy season, the groundwater level
continues to rise, which is quite different from the water level determined during the survey
before the rainy season. In order to reasonably analyze this process, the rainfall infiltration
groundwater level rise process is analyzed in combination with the local measured rainfall
in the rainy season. The boundary conditions are set as follows:
(1) Initial boundary conditions: before embankment construction, the groundwater level
was observed after site leveling and before the rainy season in June 2017. It is lo-
cated at 3.5–5 m underground. This water level line is set as the initial water level
before rainfall. The long-term rainfall in the rainy season corresponds to a process of
Water 2022, 14, 3528 7 of 15

continuous rise in the groundwater level of the slope. When the groundwater level
exceeds the ground during the rise process, it becomes runoff and will not generate
excess pore pressure. Therefore, the surface of the slope should be defined as the
boundary of pore water pressure-free dissipation. The bottom and both sides of the
slope are defined as impervious boundaries to simulate the process of groundwater
rise. The long-term rainfall in the rainy season corresponds to a process of continuous
rise in the groundwater level of the slope. When the groundwater level exceeds the
ground during the rise process, it becomes runoff and will not generate excess pore
pressure. Therefore, the surface of the slope should be defined as the boundary of pore
water pressure-free dissipation. The bottom and both sides of the slope are defined as
impervious boundaries to simulate the process of groundwater rise.
(2) Rainfall infiltration process: The embankment filling of this section began on 2 July
2017, and the slope began to lose stability when the elevation of the road construction
unit was filled to 17 m on November 6. In order to get the impact of real rainfall
on the overall humidity field, it is necessary to determine the amount of rainwater
infiltration according to the local rainfall data. The permeability of the fill is large,
so it is assumed that the rainfall will directly infiltrate into the foundation soil layer
through the fill. The leveled ground surface is selected as the rainfall infiltration
boundary. The infiltration intensity and time of the boundary is the rainfall minus
evaporation. According to the theory of unsaturated soil infiltration, the permeability
of unsaturated soil is modified according to saturation. In the process of rainfall, when
the rainfall amplitude is less than the unsaturated permeability coefficient of expansive
soil, all rainwater infiltrates. When it is greater than the unsaturated permeability
coefficient, the actual infiltration intensity is equal to the unsaturated permeability
coefficient, and the rest of the rainfall is discharged by generating surface runoff.
In ABAQUS, the rainfall process during the whole construction period can be defined
by a time amplitude function. The whole process is divided into several 24 h segments
(single day), and the flow boundary of each segment is equal to the rainfall of that day
minus the evaporation. After the definition of the whole rainfall process is completed, the
rainfall process of the whole rainy season is applied to the surface of the slope model as the
flow boundary, that is, the definition of the rainfall process is completed.
(3) Consideration of moisture absorption and softening
The moisture absorption softening characteristics of the weathered layer, unweathered
layer, and weak interlayer of expansive soil are mainly considered. In the process of rainfall
infiltration, the soil strength changes, with saturation, through the subroutine. The value
of strength is determined according to the indoor strength test of undisturbed soil, as
shown in Table 3. When the soil saturation is less than 92%, the strength of the soil layer
is set as the natural strength; When the soil saturation exceeds 97%, adjust the strength
parameter of the soil layer to saturation strength; When the soil saturation is between 92%
and 97%, the strength is adjusted, by linear interpolation, between natural strength and
saturated strength through the program, and then, the overall stress-strain state of the slope
is recalculated on this basis.

Table 3. Strength parameters.

Natural Strength Saturation Strength

Soil Layer
c (kPa) ϕ (◦ ) c (kPa) ϕ (◦ )
Weathering layer 20 12 17 10.5
Unweathered layer 38 12 29 10.5
Weak layer 10.8 6.5 7.6 5.2

3.3. Stability Analysis of Embankment Slope

(1) Verification of groundwater rise calculation results
Water 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 15
Water 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 15

3.3. Stability Analysis of Embankment Slope

Water 2022, 14, 3528 3.3. Verification
Stability Analysis of Embankment 8 of 15
(1) of groundwater riseSlope
calculation results
(1) TheVerification
Figures 5of groundwater
and 6 shows therise calculation
overall humidity results
field of the slope. The lower part of
the slopeThe reaches
Figures and5 and 6 shows
remains the saturated
fully overall humidity fieldthe
early after of rainy
the slope. TheAs
season. lower
the part
rainyof
The Figures 5 and 6 shows the overall humidity field of the slope. The lower part of
the slope
season reachesthe
continues, and remainsarea
saturated fullyofsaturated
the soil inearly after the
the middle andrainy
upperseason.
part ofAsthe
theslope
rainy
the slope reaches and remains fully saturated early after the rainy season. As the rainy
season continues,
continues to move the up, saturated
and the rise areaofofthe thesaturation
soil in thein middle and upper
the middle of thepart
slopeof the slope
is more
season continues, the saturated area of the soil in the middle and upper part of the slope
continues
obvious. Thetosaturation
move up,of andthethe
soilrise of the
in the middle saturation
and lower in the
partmiddle of theincreases
of the slope slope is more
and
continues to move up, and the rise of the saturation in the middle of the slope is more
obvious.
leads The saturation
to strength softening, ofwhich
the soil in the middle
reduces and lower
the support part ofsection,
of the filling the slope
andincreases
the impact and
obvious. The saturation of the soil in the middle and lower part of the slope increases and
onleads to strength softening,
the occurrence of landslides which reduces
cannot the support
be ignored. The ofbluetheline
filling section,
is the and the impact
groundwater level
leads to strength softening, which reduces the support of the filling section, and the impact
on the occurrence
determined of landslides cannot
by the supplementary surveybeimmediately
ignored. The blue
after theline is the groundwater
landslide, and the red line level
on the occurrence of landslides cannot be ignored. The blue line is the groundwater level
isdetermined
the calculatedby the supplementary
water level (pore watersurveypressure
immediately afterThe
is 0 line). the landslide,
calculatedand the red line
groundwater
determined by the supplementary survey immediately after the landslide, and the red line
is thebasically
level calculated water level
coincides (poremeasured
water pressureresultsis of00the
line). The calculatedsurvey groundwater
is the calculated water with
level the
(pore water pressure is supplementary
line). The calculated groundwater of the
level basically
landslide. coincides
Therefore, the with thefield
humidity measured
of resultssoil
expansive of the
slopesupplementary
can be better survey of by
predicted the
level basically coincides with the measured results of the supplementary survey of the
landslide.
landslide. Therefore, the humidity field of expansive soil slope can be better predictedby
setting Therefore,
rainfall the
infiltration humidity
intensity field
and of
soil expansive
parameters, soil slope
which is can be
basicallybetter predicted
consistent with by
setting
the rainfall
rainfallinfiltration
groundwater
setting intensity
level determined
infiltration intensitybyandthesoil
and parameters,
landslide
soil which
whichisisbasically
supplementary
parameters, survey. consistent
basically consistentwith with
the
thegroundwater
groundwaterlevel leveldetermined
determined by by the
the landslide
landslide supplementary
supplementary survey. survey.

Figure 5. Overall saturation of slope.

Overallsaturation
Figure5.5.Overall
Figure saturationof
ofslope.
slope.

Figure
Figure 6. 6. Overall
Overall pore
pore pressure
pressure ofof slope.
slope.
Figure 6. Overall pore pressure of slope.
(2)(2) Analysis
Analysis of of slope
slope stress
stress and
and displacement
displacement and and comparison
comparison ofof monitoring
monitoring data
data
(2) Figure
Analysis
Figure of
7 7shows slope
shows thestress
the and
plastic
plastic displacement
strain
strain zoneofofthe
zone and comparison
theslope.
slope.Under
Under ofthe
themonitoring
action
action ofof data
fill
fill load,
load, aa
Water 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 15
large plastic deformation
Figure deformation
large plastic 7 shows the zone zone appears
plasticappears
strain zoneat the position
at theofposition
the slope. of the
Under
of the weak
weak layer.
thelayer.
action The abnormal
of abnormal
The fill load, a
stress
large
stress field
plastic
field appears inin
deformation
appears thethe weak
zone
weak layer,and
appears
layer, and
atthethefurther
the furthersliding
position sliding fragmentation
of thefragmentation
weak layer. Theofof the
abnormal
the weak
weak
layer, under the action of local stress concentration, finally forms the sliding surface. It can It
layer,
stress under
field the
appears action
in theof local
weak stress
layer, concentration,
and the further finally
sliding forms the
fragmentationslidingof surface.
the weak
can
of
belayer,
seenbeunder
the seen
weak
that that
layer.
the
the the
action
stress stress
Underof local
change change
the load,
stressit
caused caused
byhas bysoil
filling
a horizontal
concentration,
filling load soil
hasload has
displacement
finally forms aimpact
the
a certain certain
and impact
further
sliding on
thefragmen-
surface.
on the
It can
devel-
development
tation,
be seenof
opment finally
that
weak of weak
forming
the layers. layers.
a sliding surface.
stress change caused by filling soil load has a certain impact on the devel-
opment
It canofbeweak
seenlayers.
from the overall displacement of the slope, in Figure 8, that the area
It canvertical
with large be seendisplacement
from the overall displacement
is located of the
at the crack onslope,
the topin Figure 8, thatand
of the slope, the the
area
with large vertical displacement is located at the crack on the top of the
Embankment Filler, on both sides of the crack, has a large relative dislocation. The hori- slope, and the
Embankment
zontal Filler,mainly
displacement on bothoccurs
sides near
of thethe
crack,
weakhas a large
layer, relativethat
indicating dislocation. The hori-
the soil layer on
zontal
the upper displacement mainly
side of the weak occurs
layer hasnear the bedding
a large weak layer, indicating The
displacement. that area
the soil
withlayer
largeon
the upper
lateral side of the
displacement weaktolayer
is close has a large
the plastic area. bedding
According displacement.
to the above The area the
analysis, withstress
large
lateral caused
change displacement
by the is close to the plastic area.
embankment-filling According
load has a certain toimpact
the above
on analysis, the stress
the development
change caused by the embankment-filling load has a certain impact on the development

Figure
Figure 7.
7. Slope
Slopeplastic
plastic zone.
zone.
Water 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW tation, finally forming a sliding surface. 9 of 15

of the weak layer. Under the load, it has a horizontal displacement and further fragmen-
Water 2022, 14, 3528 tation, finally forming a sliding surface. 9 of 15

It can be seen from the overall displacement of the slope, in Figure 8, that the area
with large vertical displacement is located at the crack on the top of the slope, and the
Embankment Filler, on both sides of the crack, has a large relative dislocation. The hori-
zontal displacement mainly occurs near the weak layer, indicating that the soil layer on
the upper side of the weak layer has a large bedding displacement. The area with large
Figuredisplacement
lateral 7. Slope plastic zone.to the plastic area. According to the above analysis, the stress
is close
change caused by the embankment-filling load has a certain impact on the development of
the weak layer. Under the load, it has a horizontal displacement and further fragmentation,
finally7.forming
Figure a sliding
Slope plastic zone.surface.

Figure 8. Vertical displacement of slope.

(3) Site
Figure landslide
8. Vertical analysis
displacement of slope.
After the vertical tension cracks appear on the top of the embankment, ZK1–ZK9 ob
(3) Site
(3) Site landslide
landslide analysis
analysis
servation points are set on the site (Figure 9), which are respectively arranged at the uppe
After and
middle, the vertical
the vertical tensioncracks
lower tension
positions cracks appear
appear
of the onon
landslide thethe
toptop
for of the
of the embankment,
embankment,
monitoring ZK1–ZK9
ZK1–ZK9
the vertical ob-
displacement o
observation
servation points
points areare
setset
onon the
the site
site (Figure
(Figure 9),9),which
whichare arerespectively
respectivelyarranged
arrangedatatthetheupper,
upper,
the slope. The settlement displacement of representative slope displacement monitorin
middle, andand lower
lowerpositions
positionsofofthe thelandslide
landslide forfor
monitoring
monitoring thethe
vertical
verticaldisplacement
displacement of the
of
points
slope.
ZK2
The The
(top of displacement
settlement
slope), ZK5 of and ZK6 (middle
representative
of slope),
slope slope
as well
displacement
as ZK8 (toe
monitoring
of slope) i
points
the slope. settlement displacement of representative displacement monitoring
shown
ZK2
points (top
ZK2
in the of
of (top
slope),following
ZK5 and
slope),
Figure
ZK5ZK6 and
10. With
(middle theofexpansion
of slope),
ZK6 (middle as well as
slope),
of vertical
as well
ZK8 (toe
as ZK8
cracks,shown
of slope) the is
(toe ofisslope)
settlemen
inincreases
the following
shown in the rapidly in the
Figure
following 10. initial
With
Figure the
10. stage and
expansion
With gradually
of vertical
the expansion stabilized
ofcracks,
verticalthe in the the
later
settlement
cracks, stage. The mon
increases
settlement
toring
increases data
rapidly inrapidly was
the initial stopped
stage
in the after
and stage
initial the
gradually 15th. According
stabilized stabilized
and gradually to the monitoring
in the laterinstage. results,
Thestage.
the later monitoring the settlemen
data
The moni-
value
was
toring of the
stopped
data was rear
after theedge
stopped 15th. of the
According
after landslide
the 15th. to is large,
the monitoring
According to thewhile thethe
results,
monitoring change ofthe
settlement
results, the
valuefront edge is no
of the
settlement
rear edge
obvious.
value of the
of the rearlandslide
edge of theis large, whileisthe
landslide change
large, whileof the
the change
front edge is not
of the obvious.
front edge is not
obvious.

Figure 9. Scope of landslide.

Figure9. 9.
Figure Scope
Scope of landslide.
of landslide.
Water
Water2022,
2022,14,
14,x3528
FOR PEER REVIEW 10 10
ofof1515

Figure10.
Figure Verticaldisplacement
10.Vertical displacementofofslope
slopemonitoring
monitoringpoint.
point.

Table44below
Table belowshows
showsthe
thecalculation
calculationresults
resultsofofthe
theoverall
overallvertical
verticaldisplacement
displacementofofthe
the
slope when the landslide is stable. From the Table 4, it can be found that the calculated
slope when the landslide is stable. From the Table 4, it can be found that the calculated
value of the vertical settlement at the three measuring points of the slope is relatively
value of the vertical settlement at the three measuring points of the slope is relatively close
close to the measured value, indicating that the method proposed in this paper can better
to the measured value, indicating that the method proposed in this paper can better de-
describe the real displacement field of the slope.
scribe the real displacement field of the slope.
Table 4. Comparison of displacement calculation results.
Table 4. Comparison of displacement calculation results.
Monitoring
MonitoringPoint
Point Slope Crest
Slope Crest Middle
Middle Slope Toe
Slope Toe
Monitoring
Monitoringvalue
value 0.470.47
m m 0.19 mm
0.19 0.09 m
0.09 m
calculated value
calculated value 0.45 m 0.18 m 0.10 m
(Consider moisture absorption and softening) 0.45 m 0.18 m 0.10 m
(Consider moisture absorption
calculated value and softening)
calculated value 0.051 m 0.022 m 0.13 m
(Moisture absorption softening is not considered)
0.051 m 0.022 m 0.13 m
(Moisture absorption softening is not considered)
(4) Landslide site analysis
(4) Landslide site analysis
In the stability analysis of the embankment slope, in order to verify the influence
In the stability analysis of the embankment slope, in order to verify the influence of
of moisture absorption and softening, the calculation is divided into two cases: without
moisture absorption and softening, the calculation is divided into two cases: without con-
considering moisture absorption and softening and considering moisture absorption and
sidering moisture absorption and softening and considering moisture absorption and sof-
softening. In the process of rainfall, the subroutine automatically updates the strength of
tening.
the soilInelement
the process of rainfall,
according to thethe subroutine
saturation automatically
change of the slope, updates
and then, the itstrength
uses theoffinite
the
soil element according to the saturation change of the slope, and
element strength reduction method to solve the stability coefficient and potential sliding then, it uses the finite
element
surface strength reduction method to solve the stability coefficient and potential sliding
of the slope.
surface of the slope.
The calculation results are as follows in Table 5. Without considering moisture ab-
The calculation
sorption and softening, resultsthe are as follows
calculated in Table
stability 5. Without
coefficient considering
is 1.15, indicating moisture ab-
that the slope
sorption and softening,
is in a stable state. After theconsidering
calculated stability coefficient
the moisture is 1.15,and
absorption indicating
softening, that the
the slope
stability
iscoefficient
in a stableofstate. After considering the moisture absorption and
the slope decreases to 0.97, and the filling section has been in an unstablesoftening, the stability
coefficient
state. Theof the slope
lower sliding decreases to 0.97,through
surface passes and thethe filling
weaksection
layer,has andbeen in anedge
the rear unstable
of the
state. The lower sliding surface passes through the weak layer,
landslide is located in the middle of the pavement, between the filling area and the and the rear edge ofspoil
the
landslide is located in the middle of the pavement, between the
area at the front edge of the landslide, as shown in Figure 11. From the distribution of thefilling area and the spoil
area at the
plastic zonefront edge8),
(Figure of itthe
can landslide, as shown
be seen that the weakin Figure 11. From
layer forms the distribution
a stress concentration ofzone
the
plastic
underzone (Figure
the action of 8),
theitupper
can beembankment
seen that the load,
weakforming
layer forms a stress
a broken concentration
line plastic zone zone along
under
the weak the action of thethe
layer inside upperslope,embankment
resulting inload,
tensileforming
cracks ina broken linearea
the filling plastic
andzone along
causing the
the weak layer inside the slope, resulting in tensile cracks in the
overall instability of the slope. Compared with the field picture (Figure 12), it can be foundfilling area and causing
the
thatoverall instability
the calculated of the slope.
landslide shape Compared
is relativelywith
closethe fieldactual
to the picture (Figurewhich
situation, 12), itiscan be
in line
found
with the thatactual
the calculated
situation landslide shape is relatively
of slope instability under theclose to theheight.
surcharge actual situation,
Accordingwhich to the
iscalculation
in line with the actual
results of thesituation of slopeand
sliding surface instability
stabilityunder the surcharge
coefficient, the modeling height. Accord-
method and
ing to the calculation
parameter used in this results
paperofare thereasonable.
sliding surface and stability coefficient, the modeling
method and parameter used in this paper are reasonable.
Water 2022, 14, 3528 11 of 15

Table 5. Influence of the calculation method on the stability coefficient.

Computing Method Fs (Before the Rainy Season) Fs (After the Rainy Season)
calculated value
(Consider moisture absorption 1.23 1.15
and softening)
calculated value
Water 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 11 of 15
Water 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW (Moisture absorption 1.19 0.97 11 of 15
softening is not considered)

Figure 11.
Figure 11. Potential
Potential sliding
sliding surface
surface of
of slope
slope (Fs
(Fs =
= 0.97).
0.97).
Figure 11. Potential sliding surface of slope (Fs = 0.97).

Figure 12. Tensile Cracks at the rear edge of Embankment Landslide.

Figure12.
Figure 12.Tensile
TensileCracks
Cracksatatthe
therear
rearedge
edgeofofEmbankment
EmbankmentLandslide.
Landslide.
In order to analyze the rationality of the method proposed in this paper, it is com-
Inorder
In ordertotoanalyze
analyzethe the rationality
rationality of the
of the method
method proposed
proposed in paper,
in this this paper, it is com-
it is compared
pared with the stability coefficient calculated by the conventional method that expansive
pared
with thewith the stability
stability coefficient
coefficient calculated calculated by the conventional
by the conventional methodmethod that expansive
that expansive soil is
soil is regarded as ordinary cohesive soil (without considering moisture absorption and
soil is regarded
regarded as ordinaryas ordinary
cohesivecohesive
soil (without soil considering
(without considering moisture absorption
moisture absorption and softening). and
softening). The slope stability coefficient calculated by the conventional method is 1.15,
The slope stability
softening). The slope coefficient
stabilitycalculated
coefficientby the conventional
calculated method is 1.15,
by the conventional methodindicating
is 1.15,
indicating that the embankment slope is stable. Therefore, the stability coefficient calcu-
that the embankment
indicating slope is stable.
that the embankment slope Therefore,
is stable.the stabilitythe
Therefore, coefficient
stabilitycalculated
coefficientby the
calcu-
lated by the conventional method is obviously larger. Due to the high groundwater level
conventional method is obviously
lated by the conventional method islarger. obviouslyDuelarger.
to the Due
hightogroundwater level afterlevel
the high groundwater the
after the rainy season, as well as the moisture absorption and softening of expansive soil
rainy season,
after the rainyasseason,
well asasthewellmoisture absorption
as the moisture and softening
absorption of expansive
and softening soil itself,
of expansive soil
itself, the softening of the weathered layer and weak layer is the most important reason
the softening
itself, of the weathered
the softening layer and
of the weathered layerweakandlayer
weakis layer
the most important
is the reason for
most important the
reason
for the instability of the embankment slope.
instability of the embankment
for the instability of the embankmentslope. slope.
The calculation results are shown in Table 5. In order to analyze the rationality of the
The
The calculation results areshown
calculation results are shownin inTable
Table5.5.In Inorder
ordertotoanalyze
analyzethe therationality
rationalityof ofthe
the
method proposed in this paper, it is compared with the stability coefficient, calculated by
method
method proposed in this paper, it is compared with the stability coefficient, calculatedby
proposed in this paper, it is compared with the stability coefficient, calculated by
the conventional
the conventional method,that that expansivesoil soilisisregarded
regardedasas ordinary cohesive soilsoil (with-
the conventionalmethod, method, thatexpansive
expansive soil is regarded ordinary
as ordinarycohesive
cohesive (without
soil (with-
out considering
considering moisture
moisture absorption
absorption and softening).
and softening). The stability
The slope slope stability coefficient
coefficient calculated calcu-
by
out considering moisture absorption and softening). The slope stability coefficient calcu-
lated
the by the conventional
conventional method ismethod
1.15, is 1.15, indicating
indicating that the that the embankment
embankment slope is slopeTherefore,
stable. is stable.
lated by the conventional method is 1.15, indicating that the embankment slope is stable.
Therefore,
the stabilitythe stability calculated
coefficient coefficient calculated by the conventional method islarger. obviously
Therefore, the stability coefficientby the conventional
calculated method is obviously
by the conventional method is obviously Due
larger.
to the Due
high to the high
groundwater groundwater
level after level
the after
rainy the rainy
season andseason
the and the
moisture moisture
absorption absorp-
and
larger. Due to the high groundwater level after the rainy season and the moisture absorp-
tion and softening
softening of expansiveof expansive
soil itself, soil
the itself, the of
softening softening
the of the weathered
weathered layer and layerlayer
weak and weakis the
tion and softening of expansive soil itself, the softening of the weathered layer and weak
layer important
most is the mostreason
important
for reason
the for theofinstability
instability the of the embankment
embankment slope. slope.
layer is the most important reason for the instability of the embankment slope.
Table
4. 5. Influence
Emergency of the calculation
Disposal method on the
and Reinforcement stability coefficient.
Measures
Table 5. Influence of the calculation method on the stability coefficient.
4.1. Analysis
Computing of Emergency
Method Response Measures
Fs (Before the Rainy Season) Fs (After the Rainy Season)
Computing
After the Method
landslide of the F s (Before the Rainy Season) Fs (After the Rainy Season)
embankment slope, appropriate emergency treatment mea-
calculated value
calculated
sures (Consider
shall value
be taken. Common emergency measures include unloading the1.15
fill or brushing
moisture 1.23
(Consider
the slope moisture
to eliminate the spoil. In order to1.23evaluate the treatment effect 1.15of emergency
absorption and softening)
absorption
measures andslope
on the softening)
and provide reference for scheme selection, the following working
calculated value
calculated value
(Moisture absorption 1.19 0.97
(Moisture absorption 1.19 0.97
softening is not considered)
softening is not considered)
4. Emergency Disposal and Reinforcement Measures
Water 2022, 14, 3528 12 of 15

conditions are analyzed: unloading 1m–5m Embankment Filler, unloading the spoil at
the half slope, and analyzing the variation law of the embankment slope sliding surface
and stability coefficient under these unloading measures. After calculation, the stabil-
ity coefficients corresponding to several treatment measures are shown in Table 6 and
Figure 13.
Water 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 12 of 15

Table 6. Stability coefficient after taking emergency treatment measures.

Emergencyon
emergency measures Treatment Fs selection, the follow-
the slope and provide reference for scheme
ing working conditions are
unload 1 m of fillanalyzed: unloading 1m–5m Embankment
1.04 Filler, unloading
unload 3 m of fill 1.15
the spoil at the half slope, and analyzing the variation law of the embankment slope slid-
ing surface and unload 5 m of
stability fill
coefficient 1.32
under these unloading measures. After calculation,
remove spoil only 0.95
the stability coefficients corresponding to several treatment measures are shown in Table
remove spoil and unload 5 m 1.24
6 and Figure 13.

Figure 13. Influence of different

different unloading
unloading heights
heights on
on slope
slope sliding
sliding surface.
surface.

According
According to to the
the calculation
calculation results
results in
in the
the above
above Table
Table 6,
6, the
the slope
slope instability
instability trend
trend
is
is controlled after unloading 1–5 m Embankment Filler. With the increase in
controlled after unloading 1–5 m Embankment Filler. With the increase in the
the height
height of
of
the
the removed
removed filler,
filler, the
the stability
stability coefficient
coefficient increases
increases slightly,
slightly,and
and the
the scope
scope of embankment
of embankment
sliding failure decreases.
sliding failure decreases. After
Afterremoving
removingthe the spoil
spoil at at
thethe
toetoe of the
of the embankment,
embankment, the
the sta-
stability coefficient of the slope decreases, and the range of sliding instability
bility coefficient of the slope decreases, and the range of sliding instability increases. This increases.
This
shows shows thatspoil
that the the spoil
load load
at theattoe
theoftoe
theofslope
the slope is conducive
is conducive to thetostability
the stability
of theof the
slope
slope and plays a certain role in restricting the displacement of the toe of
and plays a certain role in restricting the displacement of the toe of the slope. After re- the slope. After
removing part of the fill, the slope sliding trend can be controlled and is in a temporary
moving part of the fill, the slope sliding trend can be controlled and is in a temporary
stable state, but the degree of improvement of the stability coefficient is very limited. At the
stable state, but the degree of improvement of the stability coefficient is very limited. At
same time, after unloading measures, the overall stability of the landslide and the shape of
the same time, after unloading measures, the overall stability of the landslide and the
the sliding surface are still controlled by the weak layer.
shape of the sliding surface are still controlled by the weak layer.
4.2. Design of Slope Reinforcement
Table 6. Stability coefficient after taking emergency treatment measures.
According to the previous section, for this slope, the effect of removing the fill is very
Emergency
limited. If it is necessary Treatment
to further Fs the smooth
improve the stability of the slope and ensure
construction of embankment
unload filling, targeted reinforcement measures should
1 m of fill 1.04still be taken
for the weak layer. unload 3 m of fill 1.15
According to theunloadinstability
5 m ofcharacteristics
fill and engineering characteristics
1.32 of the
embankment slope, the selection of
remove spoil onlyreinforcement measures needs to consider
0.95the following
three aspects: remove spoil and unload 5 m 1.24
(1) restricted by the site conditions, the design height and grading gradient of the pave-
ment cannot
4.2. Design of Slopebe changed;
Reinforcement
(2) it is necessary to ensure the long-term stability of highway traffic;
According to the previous section, for this slope, the effect of removing the fill is very
(3) the uneven settlement shall be strictly controlled to protect the highway pavement
limited. If it is necessary to further improve the stability of the slope and ensure the
and the pipe gallery facilities 3 m below the pavement.
smooth construction of embankment filling, targeted reinforcement measures should still
Based
be taken foron theweak
the above points, the final reinforcement scheme design of this slope adopts
layer.
the method of combining anti-slide
According to the instability piles with reinforced
characteristics soil for slope
and engineering reinforcement.
characteristics of the The
em-
bankment slope, the selection of reinforcement measures needs to consider the following
three aspects:
(1) restricted by the site conditions, the design height and grading gradient of the pave-
ment cannot be changed;
 Based on the above points, the final reinforcement scheme design of this slope adopts
the method of combining anti-slide piles with reinforced soil for slope reinforcement. The
upper fill is reinforced to improve the strength and integrity of the fill. There are two rows
Water 2022, 14, 3528 of piles set under the fill to pass through the weak layer, which can directly transfer 13 of 15 the
upper load to the deep hard soil layer with high strength. The reinforcement scheme of
anti-slide pile, reinforced soil, and waterproof and drainage is designed as follows (Figure
14):upper fill is reinforced to improve the strength and integrity of the fill. There are two rows of
piles set under the fill to pass through the weak layer, which can directly transfer the upper
(1) Layout of reinforced soil in the filling area: excavate the steps at the top of the sub-
load to the deep hard soil layer with high strength. The reinforcement scheme of anti-slide
grade,
pile, lay the
reinforced geogrid
soil, at a spacing
and waterproof of 0.7 m,isand
and drainage the tensile
designed strength
as follows (Figure is 14):
ft = 70 kn/m.
A total of 10 layers of geogrid are laid.
(1) Layout of reinforced soil in the filling area: excavate the steps at the top of the
(2) Anti-slide
subgrade,pile: two
lay the rows at
geogrid ofamanually dug
spacing of 0.7 m,piles (with
and the a section
tensile strengthsize
is ft =of702kn/m.
× 2.5 m, a
spacing
A totalofof510
m,layers
and aofpile length
geogrid are of 12–16 m) are arranged 10 m away from the step.
laid.
(2)A row of bored
Anti-slide cast-in-place
pile: two rows of piles (piledug
manually diameter 1.2 m,
piles (with pile length
a section 252m,
size of × longitudinal
2.5 m, a
pilespacing
spacing of 54m,
m,and horizontal pileofspacing
a pile length 12–16 m)3are
m)arranged
are arranged at the
10 m away fromlower partAof the
the step.
row of bored cast-in-place piles (pile diameter 1.2 m, pile length 25 m, longitudinal pile
slope.
spacing due
(3) Drainage: 4 m, horizontal pile spacing
to the moisture 3 m) are
absorption arranged
and at the
softening lower part of the
characteristics of slope.
expansive
(3) Drainage: due to the moisture absorption and softening characteristics of expansive
soil, drainage channels are excavated on the east and west sides of the road before
soil, drainage channels are excavated on the east and west sides of the road before
the construction of anti-slide piles. During the construction process, attention should
the construction of anti-slide piles. During the construction process, attention should
be paid
be paidto the sealing
to the and
sealing andwaterproof
waterproofofofthe
thesurface
surfacetotoprevent
prevent the
the infiltration
infiltration ofof sur-
facesurface
water.water.

Figure 14. Final reinforcement scheme of slope.

Figure 14. Final reinforcement scheme of slope.

According
According totothe
theprevious
previous calculation method,
calculation method, the
the stability
stability coefficient
coefficient and and potential
potential
failure
failure mode
mode of of
thethe reinforcedslope
reinforced slopeare
areverified.
verified. The
The calculation
calculation results
resultsareareshown
showninin Ta-
bleTable 7 below.
7 below. TheThe stability
stability coefficientsobtained
coefficients obtained by
bythe
thetwo
twomethods
methods meet the the
meet requirements
requirements
of relevant specifications (the slope stability coefficient under non-seismic
of relevant specifications (the slope stability coefficient under non-seismic conditions conditions is is
greater than 1.3, and the slope stability coefficient under seismic conditions is greater than
greater than 1.3, and the slope stability coefficient under seismic conditions is greater than
1.1). The reinforcement scheme is reasonable and feasible, and it has good engineering
1.1).economic
The reinforcement
benefits.
scheme is reasonable and feasible, and it has good engineering
economic benefits.
Table 7. Stability coefficient after reinforcement.
Table 7. Stability coefficient after reinforcement.
Fs Fs
Conditions
(After Reinforcement)
Fs (Not Reinforced)
Fs
Conditions
normal condition 1.42Reinforcement)
(After 0.97 Reinforced)
(Not
8 degrees of earthquake 1.20 0.86
normal condition 1.42 0.97
8 degrees of earthquake 1.20 0.86
As shown in the Figure 15, after the anti-slide pile reinforcement, the instability form of
the slope changes. The failure mode is limited between the front and rear rows of anti-slide
As shown in the Figure 15, after the anti-slide pile reinforcement, the instability form
piles. At present, the reinforcement scheme has been implemented in the field, and the site
of the slope changes.
construction is shownThe failure16.
in Figure mode is limited between the front and rear rows of anti-
slide piles. At present, the reinforcement scheme has been implemented in the field, and
the site construction is shown in Figure 16.
Water
Water2022,
2022,14,
14,x FOR PEER REVIEW 14 of 1
Water 2022, 14, x3528
FOR PEER REVIEW 14 of 15 14 of 1

Figure15.
15. Potential sliding surface
afterafter reinforcement.
Figure 15.Potential
Figure Potentialsliding surface
sliding surface reinforcement.
after reinforcement.

Figure 16. Site construction of reinforcement scheme.

Figure16.
Figure 16.Site
Site construction
construction of reinforcement
of reinforcement scheme.
scheme.

5.5. Conclusions
5.Conclusions
Conclusions
Afterlandslide
After landslide geological
geological investigation,
investigation, landslide
landslide investigation,
investigation, and numerical
and numerical analy- anal
After landslide geological investigation, landslide investigation, and numerical anal
sis, taking a high fill embankment landslide of expansive soil in Yunnan as an example,
ysis, taking a high fill embankment landslide of expansive soil in Yunnan as an example the
ysis, taking
instability a high fill
mechanism embankment
of expansive landslide ofwith
soil embankment expansive soil in
low strength of Yunnan
shallow as an example
the instability mechanism of expansive soil embankment with low strengthsoil
of and
shallow soi
the instability
moisture mechanism
absorption softeningof expansive
is analyzed, soil embankment
and the conclusions with low strength
are as follows: of shallow soi
and moisture absorption softening is analyzed, and the conclusions are as follows:
and The
(1) moisture
shallow absorption
foundation softening is analyzed,
soil is fractured and the conclusions
by weathering, are as follows:
has low strength, and is
(1) The shallow foundation soil is fractured by weathering, has low strength, and is ab
(1) absorbed
The shallow foundation
and softened soil season,
in rainy is fractured
whichby weathering,
is the main causehas lowembankment
of the strength, and is ab
sorbed and
landslide. softenedthe
Considering in rainy season, which
causedis the main cause of the theembankmen
sorbed and softened instrength reduction
rainy season, which isby
themoisture absorption,
main cause of the true
embankmen
landslide.
stability of Considering
slope can be the
better strength
evaluated. reduction caused by moisture absorption, th
landslide. Considering the strength reduction caused by moisture absorption, th
true
(2) For stability
high of slope can
fill embankment on be better evaluated.
weathered expansive soil, its stability and failure mode
true stability of slope can be better evaluated.
(2) are
Formainly
high fill embankment
affected on weathered
by the shallow weathered expansive
layer and weak soil,layer.
its stability
With theand failure mod
increase
(2) For high fill embankment on weathered expansive soil, its stability and failure mod
in the filling height, the most dangerous sliding of the embankment
are mainly affected by the shallow weathered layer and weak layer. With the increas slope moves
are mainly
towards the affected
inner byofthe
side shallow weathered and layer and weak layer. With the increas
in the filling height, the the
most embankment,
dangerous sliding theof instability and
the embankment failure range
slope moves to
in the
increase,filling
but theheight,
failure the most
surface dangerous
still develops sliding
along the of the
bottom embankment
of the weathered slope moves to
layer.
wards the inner side of the embankment, and the instability and failure range in
(3) Inwards
the casetheofinner
strict side of the embankment,
site conditions, the scheme of and the instability
anti-slide and failure
pile-reinforced soil hasrange in
crease, but the failure surface still develops along the bottom of the weathered layer
crease,
better but the failure
practicability surface
for this kind ofstill develops along
embankment slope.theAt bottom
the sameof the attention
time, weathered layer
(3) should
In the case of to
strict site the
conditions, theof scheme of anti-slide pile-reinforced
construction soil ha
(3) In the be case paid prevent
of strict infiltration
site conditions, the surface water
scheme during the
of anti-slide pile-reinforced soil ha
better practicability
process to avoid the further for this kindinof
decline theembankment
strength of theslope. At the
expansive soilsame time, attention
foundation.
better practicability for this kind of embankment slope. At the same time, attention
should
For be paid
expansive soil to prevent with
foundation the infiltration of surface
weak interlayer, water
it is better during reinforce
to directly the construction
should be paid to prevent the infiltration of surface water during the construction
process
the weak layerto avoid the further
piles. decline in the
the strength of the expansive soilhigh,
foundation
process tothrough rigid
avoid the further However,
decline in the cost of rigid
strength piles
of the is relatively
expansive soil foundation
and there are certain requirements for construction equipment. For the survey
For expansive soil foundation with weak interlayer, it is better to directly reinforc of road
For expansive
engineering in the soil foundation
expansive soil with weakshould
area,However,
attention interlayer, it is better to directly reinforc
the weak layer through rigid piles. the costbeofpaid
rigidtopiles
the analysis of thehigh,
is relatively and
the weak
strength andlayer through
distribution rigid
range piles.
of soft However,
interlayer. Ifthe cost
necessary,of rigid
the roadpiles
can is relatively
avoid the high,
soft and
there are certain requirements for construction equipment. For the survey of road engi
theredistribution
layer are certainarea.
requirements for construction equipment. For the survey of road engi
neering in the expansive soil area, attention should be paid to the analysis of the strength
neering in the expansive soil area, attention should be paid to the analysis of the strength
and distribution range of soft interlayer. If necessary, the road can avoid the soft laye
and distribution range of soft interlayer. If necessary, the road can avoid the soft laye
distribution area.
distribution area.
Author Contributions: Conceptualization, S.Z. and J.Z.; methodology, S.Z. and J.Y.; software, S.Z
Author Contributions: Conceptualization, S.Z. and J.Z.; methodology, S.Z. and J.Y.; software, S.Z
validation, S.Z. and J.Y.; formal analysis, S.Z. and J.Y.; investigation, S.Z. and J.Z.; data curation, S.Z
validation, S.Z. and J.Y.; formal analysis, S.Z. and J.Y.; investigation, S.Z. and J.Z.; data curation, S.Z
and J.Z.; writing—original draft preparation, S.Z. and J.Y.; writing—review and editing, S.Z.; visu
and J.Z.; writing—original draft preparation, S.Z. and J.Y.; writing—review and editing, S.Z.; visu
alization, S.Z.; supervision, S.Z.; project administration, J.Y.; funding acquisition, J.Y. All author
alization, S.Z.; supervision, S.Z.; project administration, J.Y.; funding acquisition, J.Y. All author
have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Water 2022, 14, 3528 15 of 15

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, S.Z. and J.Z.; methodology, S.Z. and J.Y.; software, S.Z.;
validation, S.Z. and J.Y.; formal analysis, S.Z. and J.Y.; investigation, S.Z. and J.Z.; data curation,
S.Z. and J.Z.; writing—original draft preparation, S.Z. and J.Y.; writing—review and editing, S.Z.;
visualization, S.Z.; supervision, S.Z.; project administration, J.Y.; funding acquisition, J.Y. All authors
have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research was supported by Huaneng Group scientific research project (No. ceri/tw
18-hjk03).
Data Availability Statement: Data available on request from the authors.
Acknowledgments: Thank Xu Qiu (China Huaneng Group Clean Energy Technology Research
Institute) for providing review opinions on the scientificity of this paper. Thank Zeyu Ning and
Engineer Qing Li (China Huaneng Group Clean Energy Technology Research Institute) for their help
in model establishment, data analysis, test and testing.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no conflict of interest.

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