Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

First Advisor

Dimitris Rizos

Abstract

Geohazards, including landslides and embankment failures, pose significant risks to railway infrastructure, necessitating early recognition methods for effective risk mitigation. This research explores the relationship between the volumetric water content in the upper soil layer and the embankment's factor of safety (FOS) to improve early detection and stability assessment. A parametric analysis was conducted to evaluate how variations in the soil type (shear strength and hydraulic conductivity), slope geometry (angle and height) and recharge conditions (rainfall intensity and duration) affect the FOS. Using the GeoStudio software, seepage and slope stability analyses were performed for two baseline soils, as well as a sand and a high strength material, under various scenarios. The results identify specific conditions, such as soil type and rainfall characteristics, that significantly influence slope stability. These findings demonstrate the potential for satellite-based radar systems to track changes in soil moisture content as an early indicator of instability. By establishing if a clear correlation between soil moisture variations and FOS is feasible, this study provides a valuable framework for geohazard prediction and risk management. The outcomes contribute to advancing data-driven approaches for protecting railway infrastructure and enhancing operational safety.

Rights

© 2025, Kiera Rose Hughes

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