Soil Slumps and Debris Flows: Prediction and Protection

Research Article| February 01, 1981 Soil Slumps and Debris Flows: Prediction and Protection ROBERT HOLLINGSWORTH; ROBERT HOLLINGSWORTH Staff Geologist Kovacs-Byer and Associates, Inc., 11430 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar G. S. KOVACS G. S. KOVACS Principal Engineer Kovacs-Byer and Associates, Inc., 11430 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information ROBERT HOLLINGSWORTH Staff Geologist Kovacs-Byer and Associates, Inc., 11430 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604 G. S. KOVACS Principal Engineer Kovacs-Byer and Associates, Inc., 11430 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604 Publisher: Association of Environmental Soil Slumps and Debris Flows: Prediction and Protection. Environmental ; xviii (1): 17–28. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.xviii.1.17 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEnvironmental & Engineering Geoscience Search Advanced Search Abstract Debris flows generated by soil slumps which occur during heavy rainstorms present a greater risk of death and injury to residents of Southern California than do all other types of slope failures combined. Since World War II, development in the hillside areas has greatly accelerated, resulting in the construction of many residences in the paths of potential debris flows.A method of predicting the potential for soil slumps occurring at individual sites has been devised based on field observations of over one hundred such failures. Numeric values of 0 to 4 are assigned to three factors for each site: the soil type, the slope gradient, and the influence of concentrated drainage. The sum of these values yields a practical guideline for evaluation of the potential for soil slumps occurring at individual sites.Information on the potential for soil slumps occurring can be utilized in the creation of a warning system to advise residents of potential hazard and to guide recommendations for the placement of protective devices. Poured retaining walls, deflection walls, stem walls, debris basins, and debris fences are the protection devices recommended for the protection of structures from damaging debris flows. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.