A first approach to soft rock slopes life cycle, using H/V ratio microtremors technique

Due the infrastructure construction several instability problems have been presented in cutting slopes over clay bearing rocks around the world. The principal cause is associated with the highly susceptibility to environmental changes of these materials. Their physical and mechanical characteristics change in a short period of time after the cutting process, thus, their performance change between rock and soil. This makes very complicated the classification process and the selection of suitable parameters for design and construction. Different classification proposals have been developed on fracture patterns basis and laboratory tests, but the subjectivity of the observer and the process for obtaining good samples affect the final result. Geophysical tests are a good alternative for the characterization of these materials in the field. This paper investigates the disintegration of these materials in cutting slopes using the microtremor H/V technique. The results show good correlation with disintegration classification systems.