Study of slope stability in weathered rock of the Quiriquina formation

Abstract

In this article the slope stability of weathered sedimentary rocks present in the city of Concepción is studied. A geological description of the sedimentary rocks, which form part of the Quiriquina Formation, is presented using available geological maps and bibliographic information. Laboratory results from direct shear tests are shown. This allows the determination of strength parameter values of the sandstones of the Quiriquina Formation. Finally, slope stability analyses are performed by means of limit equilibrium methods. The case scenarios of plane and wedge failure are analysed using the parameter values obtained in the laboratory tests. It is concluded that, in addition to the importance of the adequate determination of the cohesion and friction angle values in residual and saturated conditions, it is fundamental the previous determination of possible failure surfaces.