EOSC 114 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Van Der Waals Force, Quick Clay, Slope Stability

• School: UBC
• Department: Earth and Ocean Sciences
• Course: EOSC 114
• Professor: Brett Gilley

Document Summary

Internal causes factors inside the slope that affect stability. Decreases normal force/normal stress, which decreases friction and thus t(v)f increases weathering. Acts as a medium for flows in sediment (loose rocks, sand, silt, and clay) No water - low angle of repose. Some water - high angle too much water - very low angle in solid rock: Water reduces shear strength along planes of weakness (fractures) Or causes: frost wedging/freeze thaw in colder climates. Water gets into cracks and fractures (joints) if it freezes it expands - forcing the fractures apart check out lecture slides. Some materials are very weak fail at relatively and/or very low angles of repose two examples of many: So small that van der waals force has an effect (electrostatic effects) When in salt water, clay is attracted to other clay particles. Eventually, salt content is lowered by percolating groundwater. Quick clay slides not common, but very cool!