Field measurements, laboratory tests and empirical relations for investigating the solid-to-fluid transition of a rapid earthflow

Abstract

Earthflows are widespread phenomena in the Mediterranean area. These landslides involve fine-grained soils and clay-bearing rocks, and despite their low speed are responsible for significant economic losses in vast areas. The dynamics of these landslides is still relatively obscure thus reducing our ability to forecast and mitigate their effects. In this study, we present a methodological approach for the characterization of active earthflows based on the combination of geophysical surveys, laboratory tests, and empirical formulas. Geophysical surveys consist of periodic measurements of Rayleigh wave velocities repeated over time to evaluate the change of stiffness with time of the landslide material. Laboratory tests combine Atterberg limits, fall cone and oedometric tests and allow to constrain the empirical correlations between geophysical and geotechnical properties. The method is designed to obtain relevant data when direct methods like boreholes or geotechnical soundings are not possible for safety reasons, with the aim of investigating the solid-to-fluid transition that can occur in rapid earthflows. We applied this approach to study the Montevecchio landslide (Northern Apennines of Italy), an active earthflow in young marine clays which was affected by multiple reactivations in the recent years. Results show that after a surge the earthflow material is very soft (shear wave velocity in the order of 50–60 m/s) and characterized by a high water content. However, the exact value of the Liquidity Index remains unknown due to the lack of direct measurements and to the uncertainty dictated by the empirical relationships.