Geotechnical failure of a slope featuring site development with industrial facilities caused by irresponsible leveling in the neighboring area

Abstract

The article describes an unusual geotechnical failure of properly built-up top backfill of a slope of the subsoil of an industrial facility. The failure was caused by an irresponsible correction of the slope and its base in the neighboring area. Deterioration of the slope built from expansive clay consisted in clearing trees and deep changes in morphology in part of the slope of the neighbor, situated below it. Therefore, arbitrary actions led to a serious geotechnical failure as a result of loss of stability of slopes, an inversion in water relationships going beyond the local area, and change in the direction of flow of surface waters.