Embankment Failure on Clay near Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

The construction on an instrumented trial embankment on soft clay is described. Field measurements of pore‐pressure and vertical and horizontal displacements were carried out and the results are discussed. Foundation strength was evaluated through vane tests, UU triaxial tests and SHANSEP method. Embankment failure occurred when its height was about 3 m. Stability analysis were carried out to evaluate methods of assessing soft foundation strength.