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Technology Associates
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Forensic Engineering Experts - Ph (800) 358-9909 - Fax (888) 358-9901
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SLOPE INSTABILITY |
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Slope instabilities can occur in both soil and rock, and even if a slope has been stable for a long period of time. The causes of slope instabilities can be due to human activity, or simply natural changes in ground-water levels or deterioration (weathering) of rock. In some cases there are signs of impending slope failure in the form of cracks appearing on the ground surface, but many times failure occurs without warning. Slope failures can have catastrophic outcomes and thus always require careful attention.
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Expertise |
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Questions Answered |
We have extensive experience evaluating:
- The safety of existing slopes under gravity and seismic loading
- The cause of slope failures
- Remedial plans for slopes that are showing signs of instability or have already failed, including the use of various types of ground modification/improvement technologies.
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Through scientific analysis, we can help you answer pertinent questions such as:
- What is the safety factor of an existing slope?
- How can a slope that is exhibiting signs of distress be stabilized?
- What was the cause for a slope failure that has already occurred?
- How can a failed slope be safely reconstructed?
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Past Case Examples |
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Condos Damaged by Slope Failure:
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Ground Movement Policy Exclusion:
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A condominium complex under construction in an urban setting was significantly damaged by a slope failure that occurred during construction. We represented the condo developer in a successful action that demonstrated that the failure was caused by design errors and compounded by the fact that the design engineers had ignored signs of the impending failure.
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The owner of a small suburban shopping mall filed an insurance claim for building damage caused by a rock slide behind the mall. We were retained by the insurer to investigate the cause(s) of the slide. We demonstrated that the slide was caused by natural deterioration and weathering of the rock slope over time. Because damage due to ground movement was specifically excluded from the insurance policy, we were able to support the insurer’s position that they were not liable for the damage.
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