Deformation Characteristics with Porewater Pressure Development of Shallow Landslide Triggered by Rainfall Infiltration

Abstract

The identification of the slope deformation characteristics upon rainfall plays an important role in providing early warning information and implementing emergency remedial actions before landslide occurs. In this study, a coupled hydro-mechanical formulation of finite element analysis was performed to investigate the displacement behaviour of slopes triggered by rainfall infiltration. The simulation results showed in good agreement with experiment result. The model study was then carried out to investigate the hydraulic and deformation response of the shallow slope. The numerical results revealed that the developed slope displacement with time can be divided into three stages, namely constant, accelerated, and critical deformation stages, corresponding to various rates of slope movement and porewater pressure development stages. Finally, the relationships of slope displacement magnitude with the factor of safety that established from this study can be seen as a good indicator for shallow landslide hazard assessment.KeywordsRainfall-triggered landslidesCoupled hydro-mechanical modelLandslide movement patterns