Notes on the slope stability of the Leba Road on the Chela mountain range

Abstract

Several problems of slope stability, soil sliding and other major geotechnical incidents that occurred in Estrada da Leba in Southern Angola during the first 3 months of 2011 are herein commented. The intention of this paper is to typify those incidents as a consequence of the intense rainfall that occurred in that period. Nowadays those problems are more probable in the coming future, even in the case of less intense rainfall, considering the complete wash out of the vegetation and small trees that once protected the slopes. Something must be done to control the area which is large, extended and very critical in some points otherwise we shall assist to the progressive destruction of one of the most remarkable and well known engineering features of Angola.