Clay minerals can be weakened either when they absorb water (incorporate it into their mineral structures) or when they absorb water (bind it onto their crystal surfaces). This can destabilize a slope.
What can destabilize a slope?
Slope failure can be caused by a variety of events, usually a combination of several. For instance, poor construction on a steep slope may be followed by intense rainfall. Although in this instance excessive rain caused the incident, other variables also contributed to the slope becoming unstable.
What causes slopes to become destabilized?
This makes the soil heavier since water is denser than air. Slope instability can result from an increase in stress because weight is equal to force, which is equal to stress divided by area. The angle of repose can be altered by water (the slope angle which is the stable angle for the slope).
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The correct question is
Clay minerals can be weakened either when they _______ water (incorporate it into their mineral structures) or when they _______ water (bind it onto their crystal surfaces). This can destabilize a slope.