Numerical modeling of translational dynamics forshallow landslides based on flume tests – specialcase of spherical-cap-shaped slope sections

Abstract

Slope failures can endanger human life and cause infrastructural destruction and socioeco-nomic loss. Geoscientists have strived to develop constitutive models and real-time slopemonitoring models and systems to abate these processes. Most research studies haveproposed models which describe the dynamics of wedge-shaped soil masses which do notmimic realfield conditions. In this study, failure dynamics of spherical-cap-shaped soil masseson an inclined slope section undergoing purely translational displacement are describedusing empirical models derived from inertial forces in action for varying hydrological condi-tions. Validation of model results was done through experimental tests carried out ona laboratoryflume. Empirical models representing rainfall intensity, soil water content, pore-water pressure, factor of safety, and displacement were derived. More pertinently, theempirical model for the factor of safety is derived considering the moist unit weight of thesoil as opposed to earlier models which focused on saturated conditions only. Model andexperimental results indicate close concurrence, especially for the factor of safety with rootmean square error of 0.0385 andr2of 0.6381. Since the models are physics based, they can beapplied on a variety of rainfall-induced shallow landslides on relatively steep slopes.