Discussion of 'Lateral Extension of Compacted-Fill Slopes in Expansive Soils' by Iraj Noorany and Curt Scheyhing

摘要

The authors have presented an interesting paper demonstrating the mechanisms influencing the lateral extension and vertical movement of fill slopes of compacted fill embankments resulting from the presence of expansive soils within these embankments and the resulting distress features that occur with structures such as fences, swimming pools, and patios. These structures are particularly associated with residential housing and are often situated in close proximity of the crests of slopes for the view and privacy that such locations offer. Further, a procedure was recommended to calculate the lateral heave/settlement and lateral movement as a function of the slope's geometry and the soil's vertical and lateral swell-collapse and settlement characteristics, the fill's oversize fraction, and degree of wetting of the soil. These findings are no doubt of particular importance and relevance to geotechnical engineers, land developers, and homeowners dealing with soils that are known to be expansive because they can assist in the logical establishment of design criteria for the foundations of structures to be founded on, within, and in proximity to slopes composed of these soils.