The aim is to develop an effective stress based method for analysing the deformations and stability of embankments and slopes under "environmental stress" caused by climate change, using the finite element method (FEM). The focus is on infrastructure on sensitive soft soils, as typical to the G�ta River valley in Sweden. The numerical research is supported by data from instrumented field cases provided by a joint Chalmers-SGI project in the validation stage and additional site investigation.