Water plays a key role in producing slope failure. In the form of rivers and wave action, water erodes the base of slopes, removing support , which increases driving forces . Water can also increase the driving force by loading , i.e., adding to the total mass that is subjected to the force of gravity. An increase in water also contributes to driving forces that result in slope failure. The resistance to downslope movement is dependent on the shear strength of the slope material.
Water contributes to resisting forces when sediment pores are partially filled with water.
Factors of Slope Stability Slope stability is therefore a function of material, strength of rock or soil, slope angle, climate, vegetation, and time. Each of these factors may play a significant role in controlling driving or resisting forces. Study in your textbook how each factor controls the type of failure and the likelihood that failure will occur. Increase in N increases the frictional component, thereby increasing the resisting forces. Types of Mass Wasting Study the following table before reading this section.