Question

You are a geologist trying to determine if the slope on which your client’s house sits is stable. You determine that the angle of repose of the hillside is 35 degrees. Which of the following situations would be considered stable?
a. The slope is composed of saturated sand.
b. The slope is composed of dry sand.
c. The slope is composed of damp sand.
d. The slope is composed of dry gravel.

Answer 1

Answer:

d. The slope is composed of dry gravel.

Explanation:

Angle of repose is the maximum steep or angle a heap of sediment will form without been unstable or slump. This simply means at the angle of repose the sediment is at the verge of sliding or slumping.

At angle lesser than repose, gravitational force which assist slumping cannot overcome frictional force which goes against slumping. Therefore the sediment possess the ability to become steeper, resist sliding and retain stability as more sediment accumulates.

The measured angle of repose of the hill is 35°. The angle of repose for dry gravel ranges from 30 ° to 45 ° . Therefore it has the ability to retain stability since it range of repose accommodate for more sediment until it meet the angle of repose.