Effect of Rainfall Pattern on Slope Stability

Abstract

The impact of slope failure in Malaysia results in loss of life, property damage and disruption of societal and economic development. The objectives of this study are to determine the relationship between rainfall infiltration and slope stability and to estimate the factor of safety based on type and duration of rainfall. The analysis is conducted by using Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM) and SLOPE/W software. The results of the study are pore-water pressure and factor of safety during one-month analysis with simulated rainfall based on five years of historical records. The findings show that the highest factor of safety value is 1.6, while the lowest factor of safety value is 0.4 indicating a slope failure. It is significant how rainfall changes can critically affect slope stability based on the properties and existing geometry of the tropical soils. The study captures the behaviour of tropical slopes influenced by different rainfall characteristics.