Slopes are either a natural consequence of geological and geomorphological evolution or the result of mankind’s perceived need to modify the landscape by direct or indirect means. Careful consideration of the stability and instability of natural or man-made slopes is central to good engineering practice, and there now exists a large body of knowledge concerning the various parameters, variables and models which are important to a clear understanding of the processes affecting the stability of slopes.
This book draws on this body of knowledge and is directed specifically at engineers and engineering geologists, in practice or in academic life, who are interested in the stability of natural or man-made slopes. Geomorpho logists seeking to quan tify the mechanics of ‘slope-forming processes’ will also find much of interest. The reader who has had a grounding in basic soil mechanics will derive most benefit from this book.