Oversteepened
Oversteepened describes a slope or slope face that is steeper than the material can sustain without undergoing movement or failure. In practical terms, it means the inclination exceeds the stable limit defined by the material’s strength properties, such as the angle of repose for granular soils or the friction angle and cohesion for cohesive soils and rock. When a slope is oversteepened, gravitational forces driving downslope movement exceed resisting forces, raising the likelihood of instability.
The stability of an oversteepened slope depends on material type, moisture, weathering, and external influences. Loose,
Common forms of failure associated with oversteepened slopes include rockfalls, translational or rotational landslides, and debris
Mitigation approaches aim to reduce slope angle, remove or reduce driving forces, and increase resisting forces.