Author(s): Henrik Petersen and Simo Bensalah

Abstract: Rainfall induced slope failures along road cuttings represent a persistent hazard for local transport agencies, particularly in hilly and monsoon dominated regions where limited budgets constrain detailed geotechnical investigations. Numerous studies show that short duration high intensity rainfall elevates pore water pressure, reduces matric suction, and weakens near surface materials, triggering shallow slides that disrupt traffic and threaten public safety. However, most available assessment approaches rely on complex numerical modeling or dense instrumentation, which are rarely feasible for routine screening by local authorities. This paper proposes a simple, field oriented geotechnical risk screening framework to identify rainfall triggered slope instability near road cuts using readily observable parameters. The framework integrates slope geometry, material type, drainage condition, vegetation cover, weathering state, and recent rainfall characteristics into a qualitative scoring system that classifies slopes into low, moderate, and high-risk categories. Emphasis is placed on parameters that can be rapidly assessed during routine inspections without specialized equipment. The conceptual basis of the framework is grounded in established unsaturated soil mechanics and empirical rainfall threshold studies, but translated into a practical decision support tool. Application of the framework enables agencies to prioritize maintenance, drainage improvement, and monitoring efforts before failure occurs. The approach is particularly suited for low volume roads where consequences of failure are localized but frequent. By bridging the gap between academic research and operational needs, the proposed screening method supports proactive slope management, improves resilience of road networks, and enhances safety under increasing rainfall variability associated with climate change. Such an approach also facilitates transparent communication between engineers, planners, and decision makers, promotes consistency in field judgments, and provides a defensible basis for allocating scarce resources while acknowledging inherent uncertainty in natural slope behavior during emergency response planning and routine infrastructure management activities across diverse climatic and geological settings globally.

DOI: 10.22271/27078329.2026.v5.i1a.65

Pages: 24-28 | Views: 56 | Downloads: 26

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