The influence of the grain-size, mineralogical and geochemical composition on the Verdesca landslide

Abstract

Silty sands and clayey silts taken from a landslide in the Agri Valley have been analysed in order to study the role of sediment composition in the slope stability and the development of a slip zone. A geognostic hole was used to collect samples and monitor movements. A slip zone at a depth of about 14 m was identified. Compositional and physical–mechanical characterisation of samples was carried out. Some compositional characters, such as a 32–2 μm grain-size fraction, clay mineral content, cation exchange capacity and total nitrogen, increase in the slip zone. Some correlations have been found between geotechnical properties (residual shear strength and residual friction angle) and the same compositional characters, which can therefore be considered possible factors influencing slope stability.