Some Applications Of Unsaturated Soil Mechanics In Thailand: An Appropriate Technology Approach

Abstract

This paper is involved with some applications of unsaturated soil mechanics on several problems in Thailand, namely rainfallinduced landslide, dam engineering as well as other volume change problems. In particular, the concept of appropriate technology has been considered in applying unsaturated soil mechanics for these problems. Utilization of the in-house-built miniature tensiometer and relative humidity sensors with conventional standard apparatus has been proposed as an appropriate technology in the country for testing of unsaturated shear strength, volume change as well as other unsaturated hydraulic properties (Soil-Water Characteristic Curve and permeability function). Regarding rainfall-induced landslide, unsaturated soil mechanics has been used in correlating rainfall intensity with slope instability and developing a critical rainfall criteria which has been used in Geographic Information System (GIS) to create dynamic hazard map as well as providing a real-time early warning of landslide based on soil moisture and rain-fall. A case of leakage detection technique as well as volume change analysis for embankment dam are briefly explained. Finally, some aspects of unsaturated soil mechanics education in Thailand is discussed.