Main features of mudslides in tectonised highly fissured clay shales

AbstractMudslides are widespread in the world, especially in areas occupied by highly-fissured plastic stiff clays. Despite their strong impact on structures, infrastructures and, in general, human activity, the knowledge concerning the causes and mechanisms of mudslides is still rather limited. The paper reports some results of long-term research on mudslides in tectonised highly-fissured plastic clay shales carried out through laboratory and in situ tests, monitoring and numerical analyses.