| Abstract: | Although an important aspect of the assessment of safety of earthen levees is the consideration for its global stability, little is known regarding the slope stability of levees during hurricane overtopping conditions involving storm surge and wind generated wave action. In this study, a comprehensive slope stability investigation was undertaken where an earthen levee, representing full-scale overtopping conditions, was subjected to storm surge only overflow, wave only overtopping and combined wave and surge overtopping conditions. The crest and the landside of the levee were strengthened by roller-compacted concrete (RCC) to protect against overtopping. This paper presents a conceptual model for an RCC strengthened levee as well as a methodology for analysis and incorporation of various overtopping flow conditions in levee slope stability. The findings of this study indicate that RCC strengthening of the levee improves the stability of the levee significantly during wave only as well as combined storm surge and wave overtopping conditions. However, strengthening of the levee by RCC does not increase the factor of safety during the storm surge conditions. |
