Analysis of a Failed Port Slope and Stabilization

A nonmetal transportation port with soft soil foundation of Tianjin New Harbor failed during construction in 1997. The soil properties and geological changes before and after landslide were investigated by in situ test means. The stability of the slope was estimated with several calculation methods, such as the simplified Bishop method and the non-circle analysis method. According to the investigation and analysis results, the factors that may cause the slope failure can be determined as follows: excessive excavating, violating the normal construction procedure, excessive pore water pressure during earlier piling and sudden water-level fluctuation in front of the slope.Measures to improve the soil foundation for reconstructing the port include strengthening the failed slope with vibro sand piles, filling up the crushed stone layer, dividing the excavation into four steps and driving piles by larger intervals. The port now has been successfully reconstructed and begun operation.