Abstract of the proposal

Landslides are a major natural hazard in Hong Kong. Investigation of the slope failure mechanisms under rainfall conditions is of considerable social and economic importance and of scientific interest. While many landslides occur during or immediately after rainstorms, some failures exhibit delayed response. The risk levels associated with delayed failure are high because delayed failures are unexpected. So far little progress has been made in explaining the delayed slope movement. The investigators wish to examine the hypothesis that the groundwater regime after rainfall plays a crucial role in causing such failures.

The proposed study aims to explore the nature of delayed slope deformation. We will do this through a case study on a real cut slope in Hong Kong. We already have much of the field data needed.

Successful completion of this project will provide a better understanding of delayed failure. We may then be able to identify sites most susceptible to delayed landslides. This offers value in terms of risk reduction to the community. In addition, the research will provide teaching case studies for the university which is well tuned to local needs. Based on the initial results from this project, the principal investigator will prepare grant proposals to attract external funding.

Related Publications:

Jiao, J. J. , S. Nandy, and A. Malone, Hydrogeological studies of the slope failure at Tuen Mun Highway Chainage 550, Hong Kong, in Procceding of the 2rd International Conference on Landslides, Slope Stability and Safety of Infra-Structures , 26-28 July, 1999 in Singapore. [Full paper in pdf]

Jiao, J. J. and A. Malone, 2000, A hypothesis concerning a confined groundwater zone in slopes of weathered igneous rocks, in Symposium on Slope Harzards and Their Prevention, 8-10 May, 2000, Hong Kong, P. R. China, p165-170. [Full paper in pdf]

Jiao, J. J. , A confined groundwater zone in weathered igneous rocks and its impact on slope stability, International Symposium on Hydrogeology and the Environment to be held in Wuhan, China, Oct. 17 – 20, 2000. [Full paper in pdf]

Zhang, J., J. J. Jiao and J. Yang, In-Situ Rainfall Infiltration Studies at a Hillside, Hubei Province, China, Engineering Geology, 57, p31-38, 2000.[Full paper in pdf]

Nandy, S. and J. J. Jiao, Groundwater flow analysis in the slope above Shum Wan Road, Hong Kong, Provisionally, Environmental and Engineering Geoscience Journal , 7(3), p239-250, 2001