Lyell Collection
Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
Lyell Centre  |   Lyell Collection  |   Subscriptions   |   Geological Society  |   Email alerts  |   Online bookshop  |   Help

Keywords:
Author:
Advanced search>>
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Williams, R. E.
Right arrow Articles by Mure, R. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology; 1983; v. 16; issue.4; p. 267-279;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.QJEG.1983.016.04.04
© 1983 Geological Society of London

Engineering Implications of Earth Surface Processes

The investigation and design of cuttings in stiff Pliocene clays of Lattakia, Syria

R. E. Williams & R. A. Mure

Mott, Hay & Anderson, , 20/26 Wellesley Road. Croydon CR9 2UL

Part of the proposed route for a new highway between Lattakia and Aleppo in northern Syria crosses a sequence of stiff Pliocene clays. Unusually, for stiff clays, the natural water content is considerably above the plastic limit and it is suggested that this is due to the high proportion of smectite (montmorillonite) being strongly cemented by calcium carbonate. Railway cuttings formed at slopes of 1 on 1.5 have suffered a number of failures within 5 years of completion. Cuttings formed at 1 on 2.5 are presently stable, but, being ungrassed, have suffered severe erosion due to high rainfall intensity and lack of maintenance to drainage works. The long term stable natural slope angle varies between 6° and 10°.

The basis for the choice of the design cutting slope of 1 on 3 and associated erosion protection and drainage provisions are outlined.