Shallow Slope Failure and Protection Method Along a Highway in a Seasonally Frozen Area in China

Abstract

Shallow slope failure occurred frequently along the Jiamusi-Harbin section of Tong-San highway in Heilongjiang Province (Jia-Ha highway), China in April and May every year since the highway construction involving cut-slopes, in 1997. Because seasonally frozen areas are widely distributed in this area, the melting of frozen soil is thought to be the main reason for the slope failure. We selected two different slopes, one protected by geotechnical countermeasure works of steel–concrete frame but which failed, and another that was protected by biotechnical countermeasure works which included trees, and remained stable, to analyze the possible mechanism of the shallow slope failure at the cut-slopes in this area, and the suitability of the countermeasure works.