The influence of climate and climate change on the stability of abutment and reservoir slopes

摘要

The stability of abutment slopes, if they are steep enough to slide, depends on trends in both long term and short-term rainfall. The risk of sliding can be related to these trends in a manner similar to the determination of design floods. Slides may have moved to a more stable position when climate was worse, giving a reserve of stability. Speed of movement strongly influences danger. Reactivated slides should not move rapidly but first-time slides may do so. Risk of sliding could be estimated by limited monitoring. Prophylactic remedial drainage works could then be used to control risk.