Geomechanics and Engineering

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Orthogonal experimental study on the performance of expansive soil slopes reinforced with geobags

  • Jiujiang Wu (Shock and Vibration of Engineering Materials and Structures Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest University of Science and Technology) ;
  • Yang Zhang (Shock and Vibration of Engineering Materials and Structures Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest University of Science and Technology) ;
  • Yangbing Liu (Shock and Vibration of Engineering Materials and Structures Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest University of Science and Technology) ;
  • Linzi Yu (Shock and Vibration of Engineering Materials and Structures Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest University of Science and Technology) ;
  • Guoxing Zhao (Zhejiang Geotechnical Engineering Technology Co., Ltd.) ;
  • Mohammad Najafzadeh (Department of Water Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Surveying Engineering, Graduate University of Advanced Technology)
  • Received : 2024.08.15
  • Accepted : 2026.03.06
  • Published : 2026.03.10
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Abstract

Expansive soil slopes are particularly susceptible to erosion and instability during rainfall due to their unique engineering characteristics. This study aims to enhance the understanding of mitigating the adverse effects of rainfall on such slopes through the application of geobag reinforcement techniques. A series of controlled experiments, employing an orthogonal experimental design, systematically investigates the influence of slope gradient, initial water content, and reinforcement methods on slope erosion and stability. Range analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) are utilized to evaluate the sensitivity and significance of each factor on erosion volume and cumulative rainfall absorption. The findings reveal that reinforcement met hods significantly impact erosion reduction and slope stability, with surface-covered slopes and toe reinforcement demonstrating the most substantial decrease in erosion compared to unreinforced slopes. A positive correlation is observed between increased slope gradient and erosion volume, while higher initial water content exacerbates erosion due to diminished shear strength of the soil. Although the results mainly provide qualitative insights into the deformation and erosion behavior of expansive soil slopes under different experimental conditions, they still offer useful references for slope stabilization and management, highlighting the importance of reinforcement methods, slope gradient, and initial water content in slope design.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research is supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (no. 42007247), National Foreign Expert Project (no. DL2023036001L), Nature Science Foundation of Sichuan Province (no. 2022NSFSC1151) and Sichuan Science and Technology Program (no. 24RCYJ0043). The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the editor and the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions, which have significantly improved the quality of this manuscript.

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