Failure

Abstract

An attempt is made to classify geotechnical failures, and these are illustrated by several examples. The experiences involved in trying to obtain remotely the properties of the granular material on the moon and Mars are summarized. Descriptions are given of several landslides in southern California but which have aspects in common with other landslide events in other parts of the world. The failure of two dams is discussed briefly. The problem of fault rupture as a hazard in its own right, apart from the associated generation of strong ground motion, is treated from the points of view both of faulting mechanics and also the effect of the displacements on structures. Methods of analysis including the finite element and finite difference techniques are considered with respect to the examination of failures. Discussion of the constitutive relations used in such methods is given, especially regarding stable and unstable material behaviour. Since the propagation of slip or rupture surfaces is important in many of the examples, emphasis is given to the implementation of numerical approaches in which unstable material behaviour can be employed, and which can give rise to the generation of slip surfaces or zones. Examples are given of the results of a discrete element method and the use of dynamic relaxation with the finite difference technique applied to some typical problems such as embankments, slopes and punch indentation. Attention is finally given to the questions raised in the design of structures, and the analysis and use of failures in this regard.