Geomechanical characterization of a tectonized shaley complex in the hilly area around Florence

In a typical unit of structurally complex, mainly shaley and highly tectonized terrain, two different levels of shaley clayey materials in the same site were identified and analyzed. These lithotypes were characterized in terms of their behaviour as a result of swelling phenomena connected with the mineralogy, stress history and variation in water content. The aim of the study was to assess, in particular, the problems caused by cutting and altering the slope composed of these heterogeneous terrains.