DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN CRITERIA FOR CUT SLOPES IN LOESS

Highway cut slopes in loess were studied throughout Missouri to evaluate the relationship of performance to slope angle, orientation, stratigraphy and various physical properties. Deep cuts for which preconstruction data was available were studied in detail. Samples were obtained by various techniques to determine affects on density and moisture content. It was concluded that stratigraphic identification, while useful, was less valuable than determination of physical properties for prediction of slope behavior. Moisture content and grain size distribution were found to correlate well to observed performance and types of failure. Freeze damage, of a form analogous to subgrade frost heave, was found to be a significant source of degradation of vertical slopes. It was concluded that severe limitations should be placed on use of vertical slopes in loess. Procedures and criteria are proposed for slope selectrion, methods of stability analysis and types of sampling and testing to be performed during the soil survey. Particular emphasis is given to moisture and clay content, slope orientation, accurate logging of water tables and zones of saturation and to sampling from dry (augered) holes. /FHWA/

• Record URL:
  http://library.modot.mo.gov/RDT/reports/MCHRP/MCHRP74-1.pdf
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Conducted in cooperation with the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Adminsitration.
• Corporate Authors:

  Missouri State Highway Department

  State Highway Building
  Jefferson City, MO  United States  65101
• Publication Date: 1978-6

Media Info

• Pagination: 78 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Density; Design; Embankments; Failure; Freezing; Frost heaving; Grain size (Geology); Loess; Moisture content; Performance; Stratigraphy; Water table
• Uncontrolled Terms: Design criteria
• Old TRIS Terms: Frost heave
• Subject Areas: Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00185276
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-MO-77-74-1 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 14 1979 12:00AM