In northwest China, natural loess slopes stand almost vertically for a long time. While the current embankment design rule implies: the less steep is the embankment slope, the higher is the degree of slope stability. So it appears to be contradictory whether the regular design rule is correct or not.

By applying the geotechnical centrifugal model ling technique, a series of centrifugal tests were performed systematically to simu1ate the highway embankment conditions in loess regions of "Silk Road" in Gansu Province. These geotechnical centrifugal tests were undertaken successfully for the first time in China or abroad.

From twelve plane strain model tests, the results indicate: for embankments with height less than 60 meters, its side slope of 1:1.2 is adequate under the conditions of retaining water and slope surface erosion, if it is considered from the deformation point of view.

While the side slope may be steeper, if it is considered from the stability point, of view. All the details are listed in the Tables in the Research Report.

These conclusions were verified to be correct by stability analysis finite element method and field investigations of many old rural roads built about 50-90 years ago. A1l the computations and verifications were written in another two Research Reports respectively

Therefore this research work breaks through the Conventional slope design code for highway embankment in loess regions.

It has very huge practical and economical value on reducing the huge earthwork volume of a route and on shortening the duration of construction work as well. That also means save a large amount of investment in highway construction.

purchase the full-text of this paper (price £20)

go to the previous paper
go to the next paper
return to the table of contents
return to the book description
purchase this book (price £85 +P&P)