Analyses of Slope Failures Resulting during and after Construction of a Natural Gas Pipeline, Southeastern Ohio

The natural gas pipeline project involved construction of approximately 500 mi of pipeline through Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The focus of Engineering Analytics (EA) analyses was related to the construction and installation of pipeline in southeastern Ohio. The topography in the area of the project consists of very steep, heavily vegetated slopes. During and after construction of the pipeline, numerous landslides occurred along the pipeline alignment. EA was retained to provide an opinion as to whether or not the slope failures along the pipeline construction area were a result of construction practices. EA’s scope of work involved the review of numerous failures. The landslides were broken down into two general types: construction and restoration. The construction slope failures were those that occurred during the construction process. The restoration slope failures were those that occurred after completion of construction. This paper addresses investigation and construction practices that contributed to a high number of slope failures.