Large scale soil box test to investigate soil deformation and creep movement on slopes by Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)

A non-invasive 2D image analysis technique referred to as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is introduced as a tool to analyze soil creep movements along slopes. PIV gained importance in recent years in the field of geotechnical testing. In this paper we examined the efficiency of this method in analyzing the effect of hydraulic stresses on creep deformations due to gravity forces using model tests. A large scale soil box (L × W × H = 3.0 m × 1.0 m × 1.2 m) with adjustable inclination angle was constructed and experiments were carried out investigating soil response to changes in hydraulic stress state at a given slope angle. The method is considered to have a great potential to systematically analyze the interaction between hydraulic and mechanical stresses and their effect on slope stability.

► With PIV soil movements down to μm could be merely detected using the natural texture of the soil.
► The developed soil box in combination with PIV provides a suitable tool for systematically studying soil creep in relation to the hydraulic stress state.
► Soil deformation is controlled by the initial soil structure.