The Mudslide Profile Method to Measure the Undrained Shear Strength of Muds

by Luis E. Vallejo, Univ of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Use of In Situ Tests in Geotechnical Engineering

Abstract:

Mudslides have been reported to have a very distinctive profile. Using this distinctive profile, a method is presented to analyze the stability of the mudslide at limit equilibrium conditions. From the analysis an equation is developed from which the value of the undrained shear strength, c//u, of the material forming the mudslide can be obtained. The calculated value of c//u is a function of the geometry of the mudslide as well as the unit weight of the mud. If these parameters are known from in-situ profile measurements, the c//u can be easily obtained without causing any disturbance to the mud as is the case when other current available methods of measurement are used. The Mudslide Profile Method was applied to two reported mudslides.

Subject Headings: Landslides | Shear strength | Mud | Strength of materials | Shear tests | Soil strength | Soil properties

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