Review of Researches on Instability of Soil Retaining Structures Induced by Rainfall

Abstract

The reasons why retaining structures may collapse due to heavy rains are similar to the reasons why landslides are triggered, taking into account that generally retaining structures are built to stabilize slopes or embankments. In addition, both the collapse of these structures, as well as landslides, can cause damage to surrounding infrastructure, property, and even to people near the fault zone. In the technical literature there are different types of research on case studies, alternatives to control the collapse of retaining structures induced by rains, associated with slope instability, which would have triggered landslides due to heavy rainfall, establishing alternatives for analysis, control and prevention to mitigate the disasters associated with this type of phenomena. This article aims to review and present research on case studies on the analysis, control and remediation of collapse of containment structures, as well as landslides, both triggered by rainfall, which are published in different specialized articles; therefore, different studies on the subject are presented in a summarized form, grouped into categories that cover different research, study, evaluation, analysis, validation, and monitoring methods. The categories considered are: A. Numerical analysis, B. Physical models, C. In situ tests – geophysical tests, D. Evaluation of rainfall, and E. Monitoring systems, so that they can be consulted in an organized way.