Landslides and Road Deactivation

Terry Rollerson, Mike Wise, Denis Collins, Wilson Muir, Russ Wong, Tom Millard

Introduction
We have seen a number of landslides associated with road deactivation We need to identify where this is occurring We need to prevent or minimize future occurrences

Topics of Discussion
Study approach Types of road deactivation landslides Contributing factors Prevention Real Life Examples Conclusions

Study Approach
Compilation of road deactivation landslide occurrences Site visits to a selected sample of the landslides Compilation of data and analysis to determine the most common relationships between road deactivation and landslides

Landslide Inventory Approach

Document as many landslides as possible Visit a selected sample of landslides Link landslides to terrain types Link landslides to deactivation techniques Assess contributing factors where feasible Assess likelihood of prevention or nonprevention

Landslide Data - on-site

type of deactivation type of landslide slope position slope gradient terrain soil type slope morphology

down slope environmental effects contributing factors preventable / not preventable signs of incipient failure (slumping, tensions cracks)

Types of road deactivation related landslides

Fill slope failures in areas of no deactivation Failures below x-ditches (fill / native slope) Failures in partial pull back - residual fills Failures in partial pull back with x-ditches Failures in partial pull back at gullies Cut slope failure (all types of deactivation?)

Contributing Factors
Overloading of native slope by residual fills Oversteepening of fill materials Concentration of water by ditch lines and xditches Delivery of water from cut slope seepage sites or gullies by x-ditches to residual fills Loss of toe support (cuts in deep materials)

Prevention
Deactivate the entire road system Full pull back (reconturing) on slopes >60% Outsloping rather than x-ditching where slopes below the road are >50% to avoid concentration of road drainage Trenching of x-ditches to native ground when draining seepage sites or surface stream channels (remove all residual fill)

Real Life - 1

Situation:
Lower

roads deactivated but not the back end

Contributing factors
Short-term

planning / decisions Oversteepening, overloading and drainage

Prevention
Proper

planning / assessment and deactivation from the back end out

Real Life - 2

Situation:
Partial

pull back

Contributing factors
Oversteepening Overloading

Prevention
Full

pull back where safety is not compromised Blasting in isolated locations may be feasible

Real Life - 3

Situation:
Partial

pull back with x-ditches

Contributing factors
Oversteepening

and overloading Additional water

Prevention
Full

pull back where safety permits Trench x-ditches to native ground

Real Life - 4

Situation:
X-ditches

only, landslides on 50-60%+ slopes below roads water diverted onto slope

Contributing factors
Excess

Prevention
Outsloping

or very very frequent x-ditches Partial pull back &/or decompaction

Real Life - 5

Situation:
Cut

slope failure above partial pull back Same as with no deactivation - fairly rare

Contributing factors
loss

of toe support

Prevention
Leveling

top of partial pull back In most cases not preventable

Real Life - 6
Full pull back No landslides but may get minor sediment redistribution

Lesson learned: The right technique in the right place

Always deactivate the back end, even if the costs seem high Full pull back on slopes > 60% (50%?) Trench to native ground at seepage sites and surface drainage channels on slopes > 50%? Disperse water when slopes below > 50%

Next Steps
If you feel the prescription is not right say so, or do more If you see new landslides on or immediately below deactivated roads take a closer look, let us know If you see slumping or tensions cracks on a section of deactivated road, do the same We will continue investigating these events

Contact us at:

Vancouver Forest Region

2100

Labieux Road Nanaimo, B.C. , V9T 6E9

fax - 250-751-7198 e-mail:

Denis.Collins@gems4.gov.bc.ca

Tom.Millard@gems8.gov.bc.ca

Conceptual frequency plot of deactivation landslide types

18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 No deactivation X-ditches Partial pull back Partial/x-ditch Cut slope Full pull back

Road / Slope Geometry

Road deactivation landslide report

Location Deactivation type Your name Company/agency Optional: Initiation slope angle Length Width Map Date of slide Fax/e-mail Phone Surficial Material Terminus Photos