Unsaturated sand in the stability of the cuesta of the Temple of Hera (Agrigento)

Research reveals that the mechanical behavior of unsaturated sands is a critical factor contributing to the instability of the cuesta underlying the Temple of Hera Lacinia in Agrigento, Italy. The study found that the presence of an open metastable structure, influenced by bonding mechanisms generated through suction or cementing materials like clay and salts, significantly impacts slope stability. To investigate this, the team conducted compositional and textural analyses, direct shear tests, and oedometer tests on sand samples at varying moisture levels—from natural state to full saturation. These findings highlight the role of unsaturated sands in landslide susceptibility, particularly in environments prone to toppling calcarenite blocks, and underscore the need for targeted interventions to mitigate risks to historic structures like those in the Valle dei Templi.

Nocilla, N., Ercoli, L., Zimbardo, M., Nocilla, A., Meli, P., Grado, G., Parello, G., & Presti, G. (2013). Unsaturated sand in the stability of the cuesta of the Temple of Hera (Agrigento). Geotechnical Engineering for the Preservation of Monuments and Historic Sites, 603–611. https://doi.org/10.1201/b14895-70