The need to predict the conseq
uences of atmospheric conditions on the stability of slopes is
widely
evident from numerous examples of slope failures around the world, which often result in material and
human loss.
Equally, the serviceability conditions of cut slopes very much depend on
the heave
mobilis
ed by
excavation, the magnitude of which is partly governed by the hydraulic boundary conditions.
Soil
-
atmosphere
interaction is complex, involving precipitation and evapotranspiration across the slope surface, and acts in ad-
dition to the
ground water regime within the slope body. As a consequence, calculation tools cannot be overly
simplified if realistic predictions are expected. This paper
provides an overview of
recent research
at Imperial
College in modelling
unsaturated
natural and c
ut slopes
, using finite element analysis and advanced constitutive
models and boundary conditions
.