Developing a geotechnical database to improve slope stability assessments in Quito, Ecuador

Rose Hen-Jones, Paul J. Vardanega*, Camilo Zapata, Eliana Jiménez, Elizabeth A. Holcombe, Camilo C Zapata

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

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Abstract

Quito, Ecuador, is a city at risk of many hazards including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides, compounded by the widespread presence of problematic volcanic soils known as Cangahua. This paper presents the preliminary results of data analyses undertaken on a new geotechnical database for Quito, compiled from a variety of sources. It is envisaged that this database will be utilised primarily for improving our understanding of landslide hazard drivers in communities in and around the city. The preliminary statistical analyses include probability density functions and regression models for soil parameters. A difference in geotechnical variability between the north and the south of the city was observed. The study also presents data from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mapping of an informally constructed hillside community in Quito, identifying house-scale slope features (e.g. cut slopes and house loading) that may affect local landslide hazard processes. Together, the statistical analyses of these datasets will provide the inputs for physics-based stochastic slope stability modelling. Recommendations for future data collection are given to support the development of a higher resolution Quito database and facilitate the improvement of community-scale slope stability assessments.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of Twentieth International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ICSMGE 2022), A Geotechnical Discovery Down Under, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1-5 May 2022
EditorsMd Mizanur Rahman, Mark Jaksa
Place of PublicationSt Ives, NSW, Australia
PublisherAustralian Geomechanics Society
Pages2569-2574
Volume2
ISBN (Electronic)978-0-9946261-4-1
Publication statusPublished - 13 May 2022
EventICSMGE 2022: 20th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering - ICC Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Duration: 1 May 20225 May 2022
Conference number: 20
https://icsmge2022.org/

Conference

ConferenceICSMGE 2022
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CitySydney
Period1/05/225/05/22
Internet address

Keywords

  • geotechnical database
  • slope stability
  • UAV mapping
  • urban landslides

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