In rainstorm, the runoff from rainfall infiltrate into the top layer of fill slopes. It may result in saturation of this layer of fills leading to the decrease in soil suction. Consequently shallow slope failure may occur.
If the fill slope is in a loose state, the soils would tend to decrease in volume during deformation. As a result this induces a rise in pore-water pressure which triggers slope failure in form of mud-avalanche.
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If the fill slope is in a dense state, the soils would tend in increase in volume during deformation and it only fails like a mud slump.
This question is taken from book named – A Self Learning Manual – Mastering Different Fields of Civil Engineering Works (VC-Q-A-Method) by Vincent T. H. CHU.
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