A Transient Seepage–Thermal Stability Model for Cohesionless Soil Slopes in the Semi-Arid Continental Climate of the Canadian Prairies

Seasonal weather variations have a profound effect on the integrity of cohesionless soil slopes in Canadian Prairies owing to prevalent semi-arid continental climate. The primary contribution this research is development transient and two-dimensional stability model that fully coupled with hydraulic thermal flows. was used predict factor safety (FS) for two slope geometries (18 m height 26 height) subjected three scenarios (mean, extreme wet, dry) four ponding combinations upstream downstream sides under no-load train-load conditions. Results indicated mean climate conditions, FS trends fluctuate till April, followed by an increase remains constant up November decreases thereafter. Generally, shows subdued fluctuations higher values high compared low slope. For wet patterns are similar albeit reduced durations during summer. dry than conditions nearly most year. no ponding, > 1 throughout In contrast, only summer (with time extended conditions) upstream–downstream ponding. train loading, lower corresponding no-loading both slopes. effects further These findings useful decision making regard initial design ongoing performance natural embankments soils region.