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Generally, when designing soil stability problems on cut slopes, erosion is not considered a phenomenon. In practice, erosion significantly affects the slope stability causing local instabilities and shallow sliding which in time can develop into global instabilities and even collapse. To overcome this issue, it is necessary to include the soil-vegetation-atmospheric interaction in the design analysis.
Today, the problem of erosion is resolved by using naturally based solutions such as biopolymer binders which reduce water infiltration and evapotranspiration and stabilize the soil particles by forming a solid gel matrix with better adhesion. They are environmentally friendly because have natural composition and are rich in minerals and nutrients which support vegetation growth. The biopolymer compounds can be considered natural reinforcements that improve the mechanical and hydrological parameters of the surface soil layer. Soils treated with biopolymers are resistant to atmospheric influences because they fill the pores of the soil, thus providing a hydraulic barrier while strengthening the connection between the soil grains.
This paper presents an experimental investigation on a small-scale model of a slope with an inclination 1:2. In the tests a rainfall of 12 l/h is simulated in biopolymer-treated soil and untreated soil in parallel. Through different sensors positioned in the models, the volumetric water content and suction in the spoil layers were registered.
Finally, through this investigation and obtained results, the effects of the biopolymer were evaluated and the erosion resistance of the biopolymer treatment was quantified.
